Aims of the Presintation
• Lifting and carrying (manual handling)
• The manual handling or lifting of objects is the cause of more
injuries on worksites than any other factor. Back strains and
associated injuries are the main source of lost hours in the
building services industries. Manual handling can involve:
pushing, pulling, and the lifting and lowering of loads (tools,
cylinders boilers, radiators, etc.).
• The movement of loads requires careful planning in order to
identify potential hazards before they cause injuries. You
should follow the safety precautions and codes of practice at
all times.
• Before we consider the risks and
procedures of manual handling, get into
the habit of asking yourself whether the
load can be moved another way with less
risk of personal injury, for example using a
sack trolley or a cart.
• Before moving a heavy load, do the
following basic risk assessment:
The task
• Does it involve:
– stooping?
– twisting?
– excessive lifting or lowering distances?
– excessive carrying distances?
– excessive pushing or pulling distances?
– frequent or prolonged physical effort?
– the sudden risk of the load moving?
The load
• is it:
– heavy?
– bulky or unwieldy?
– difficult to grasp?
– unstable or with contents that are likely to
shift?
– sharp, hot or otherwise potentially damaging?
The working environment
• does it have:
– space constraints?
– slippery or unstable floors?
– variation in levels?
– poor lighting?
– hot / cold / humid conditions?
The individual
• Does he or she have:
– any restriction on their physical capability?
– the knowledge and training for manual
handling?
• These are factors that must be taken into account
when carrying out manual handling operations.
• Take a few moments to consider the information in
the above lists and the impact each factor could
have on the safe movement of tools and materials.
• Extreme care must be taken when lifting or moving
heavy or awkward objects manually. The load
generally accepted as maximum for a fit person to
lift is 20 kg. The rules for correctly lifting a load are
shown in detail on the next page.
Testing weight with foot
• Ensure that the path where
you want to move the load
is clear from obstructions,
that any doors you have to
pass through are opened
and that you have a clear
area for placing the load.
• Test the load by gently
applying force with your foot
if it feels heavy or difficult,
you may need to seek help
for a double lift.
Getting hold of load
•
If it feels comfortable to move,
start from a good base and
stand with the feet hip-width
apart.
•
Grip the load firmly. (Use gloves
to avoid injury. if the load has
sharp or rough edges.)
•
Balance the load, using both
hands if possible.
•
Take account of the position of
the centre of gravity of the load
when lifting.
Picking up with legs bent
• Maintain a straight back;
bend your knees and let the
strong muscles of your legs
and thighs do the work.
• Keep your arms straight and
close to the body.
• Avoid sudden movements
and twisting of the spine.
Moving slowly
• Move slowly and evenly.
• Never obstruct your
vision with the load that
you are carrying.
Placing carefully
• Place load carefully at the
end of the move.
• Do not drop or slam the
load down.
What is pushing and pulling?
• Pushing and pulling of loads is a way to
avoid manual lifting and carrying of objects
such as by putting the load on a trolley.
• However, when people push and pull, for
example trollies, there may be risk of other
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which
you need to consider and eliminate or
reduce.
• Although you may think that the Manual
Handling Operations Regulations only
apply to the lifting, lowering and carrying of
loads, they also apply to pushing and
pulling. This "pushing and pulling" guide
should help you comply with the
regulations.
Mechanical Aids
• A mechanical aid refers to any thing used
to make the transport or moving of an item
easier.
• Mechanical aids include:– Wheel barrow
– Sack truck
– Trolley
– Chain block
Mechanical Aids
• The law requires that mechanical aids and
equipment is maintained.
• When you buy new trolleys etc, make sure they
are good quality with large diameter wheels made
of suitable material and with castors, bearings etc
which will last with minimum maintenance.
• Devices such as barrows and trolleys should have
handle heights that are between the shoulder and
waist. Devices should be well maintained with
wheels that run smoothly.
Wheelbarrow
Wheelbarrows are used to transport loose material over fairly long distances,
the large wheel makes it easier to push across uneven ground.
Tray or bed should
be firmly secured to
the frame
Handles should be
shoulders width apart
Wheel should be
inflated
Leg brace should be
secure and in place
Spindle should be
properly secured
Sack Truck
Sack trucks are used to transport large, bulky or heavy items across short
distances.
Handles should be a
shoulders width apart
and between waist
and shoulder height
Before you use any lifting aid
you should perform a visual
inspection of the equipment
Leg brace should be
secure and in place
Base of the sack
truck should be firmly
secured to the main
frame of the trolley
Spindle should be
properly secured
Sack Truck
load is
placed
IfOnce
large the
or bulky
items
areon
the foot of the
sack
trucktruck
transported
using
a sack
youshould
place your
on the
you
use afoot
securing
strap
axil or
to foot
ensure
restthe
at the
item does
not
bottom
fall off
ofthe
thetruck.
truck as you
pull back on the handles.
If very large items are to be
The angle that
transported
thenthe
twosack
people
should
truck isbelowered
involved
toas
is the
person
important;
pushing the truck can
not
Toosee
high
where
and itthey
is difficult
are going
to
control
push. hazard.
and
missand
potential
Too low and the load
becomes
as wellbe
as
Large
bulkyheavier
loads should
secured
forcing the
to the
user
trollies
into awith
bada
strap.
posture.
Trolley
Trollies are used to transport large, bulky or heavy items across short distances
usually within industrial buildings, where the floors are flat and even with
shallow gradients.
No obvious signs of
damage
Size and design of
wheels suitable for
the surface they are
going to be used on
Wheels are capable
of taking the weight
of the load
Chain Block
Chain blocks are used to lift or pull heavy objects, they range
in lifting capacity from 1 ton to over 20 tonnes.
They are secured to a suitable anchor point and the item to
be moved either by lifting eyes or slings.
The smaller chain is pulled one way to lift and the opposite
way to lower.
No obvious signs of
damage