Assessment
1. Which of the following are
considered risk factors in the development
of musculoskeletal disorders?
1. Heavy manual labour
2. Awkward postures
3. Pushing and pulling
equipment
4. Previous or existing
injuries
5. All of the above
20%
1
20%
2
20%
20%
3
4
20%
5
Correct answer - 5 All of the above
There is evidence that heavy manual labour, awkward
postures, manual handling, including pushing and pulling
heavy objects, and a previous or existing injury are all risk
factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders.
The injured person may not always make a full recovery;
this may depend on the treatment and advice that they
receive
2. A Manual Handling load assessment
breaks an activity down into 4 key areas, which
are referred to as TILE. Select the correct
combination of 4 key areas
1. Task / Individual / Lifting /
Environment
2. Task / Individual / Lifting /
Equipment
3. Task / Individual / Load /
Environment
33%
1
33%
2
33%
3
Correct answer - 3 Task / Individual /
Load / Environment
The acronym T.I.L.E. is commonly used to shape the risk
assessment during manual handling procedures. When
faced with a situation which requires manual handling you
should conduct a risk assessment. You will be considering
a number of questions and for ease these are grouped
under 4 categories, using the TILE acronym:
TILE stands for Task, Individual capacity, Load and
Environment.
3. The ergonomic approach to
manual handling can be defined as which one
of the following:
1. The specific weight limits
a woman can pick up
2. The specific weight limits
a man can pick up
3. Fitting the job to the
person rather than the
person to the job
4. Pulling something instead
picking it up
25%
1
25%
25%
2
3
25%
4
Correct answer – 3 Fitting the job to the
person rather than the person to the
job
An ergonomic approach looks at manual handling as a
whole. It takes into account a range of relevant factors,
including the nature of the task, the load, the working
environment and individual capability and requires worker
participation.
The ergonomic approach shows clearly that emphasis on
how much weight can be lifted is too simple a view of the
problem and may lead to incorrect conclusions. Instead, an
ergonomic assessment based on a range of relevant factors
should be used to determine the risk of injury and point the
way to remedial action.
4. What should you do if a load
is sharp or very hot or cold?
1. Hold the load away from
your body
2. Use protective equipment
e.g. gloves, mask
3. Break it down into
smaller loads
33%
1
33%
2
33%
3
Correct answer - 2 Use protective
equipment e.g. gloves, mask
Wearing protective clothing such as gloves will assist you
to grip the object properly, using the full length of your
fingers and help you keep the load as close to your centre
of gravity as possible.
5. Which of the following may have
a serious impact on the way in which
moving and handling is carried out?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Uneven floors
Harsh lighting
Short skirts
Tight trousers
Hot environment
All of the above
17%
1
17%
2
17%
17%
3
4
17%
5
17%
6
Correct answer - 6 All of the above
 Floor surfaces that are rough and uneven are tripping hazards
and make pulling & pushing tasks more difficult for you e.g.
pushing a trolley will require greater force to be exerted.
 Lighting may affect the postures that you adopt to carry out
tasks. If the lighting is poor, you may be hunched up over your
work. If the lighting glares then you may adopt an awkward
posture to avoid the glare.
 High temperature and humidity is likely to increase the effort
you require to do a task.
 Clothing may influence your posture and movements while
carrying out handling tasks. Bulky clothing will limit
movements and require extra space for performing some tasks.
6. When conducting a moving and handling
procedure you should place your feet apart with
the leading leg as far forward as is comfortable
and in the direction you intend to go
1. True
2. False
50%
1
50%
2
Correct answer - 1 True
For safe manual handling the position that should be
adopted is:
 Stand astride object
 Feet shoulder width apart
 One foot in front of the other for balance
 Point leading foot in the direction of travel
7. A load becomes more difficult
to handle if it is held:
1. Above the shoulders
2. Below your knees
3. Away from the body. ie.
with arms stretched out
4. All of the above
25%
1
25%
2
25%
3
25%
4
Correct answer – 4 All of the above
It is important to get a really good grip of an inanimate
object to ensure safer manual handling. You should use the
whole length of the fingers and not just the finger tips to
hold. Any load will become more difficult to handle if it is
held:
Above the shoulders
Below your knees
Away from the body. ie. with arms stretched out
8. When using equipment to move
an object you should do which of the
following:
1. Check it is suitable
for the task
2. Be trained to use
handling equipment
3. Equipment should always
be checked prior to use
4. Report any concerns
regarding damage
5. All of the above
20%
1
20%
2
20%
20%
3
4
20%
5
Correct answer - 5 All of the above
Manual handling should be avoided whenever possible.
There will be different types of equipment available to you
within your organisation to assist you to move objects and
loads. You must check the procedure for maintenance and
checking equipment within your organisation. Using
equipment should only be considered after assessment and
should be used in accordance with the care plan and
manufacturer’s instructions.
9. If you have a team of people available to
move an object it means you can lift lots more
weight
50%
50%
1. True
2. False
1
2
Correct answer - 2 False
 Lifting as a team doesn’t mean you can lift lots more
weight!
 Two people cannot lift twice as much, only a 1/3rd of
what you think they can lift.
 Three people cannot lift three times as much, only 1/2 of
what you think they can lift.
10. In order to protect employers, employees and
the public, the Manual Handling Operations
Regulations (1992-amended 2002) places legal
responsibilities on both the employer and the
employee.
50%
50%
1. True
2. False
1
2
Correct answer - 1 True
Your employer has responsibilities to
 AVOID moving and handling activities if there is a risk of injury to you
 ASSESS moving and handling activities if it cannot be avoided
 REDUCE the risk of injury to you as an employees as much as
possible
 REVIEW regular review of risk assessments
You have a responsibility as an employee to
 follow prescribed systems of work
 be aware of and understand your organisation’s manual handling
policy
 use equipment provided properly
 co-operate with your employer on manual handling matters
 tell your employer if you identify hazardous handling activities or any
defects in equipment
 ensure your activities don’t put others at risk.
THANK YOU
End of the assessment