Manual Handling by Adams Burt & Associates

7/30/2019 Manual Handling by Adams Burt & Associates

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Manual Handling

An Introduction


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Manual Handling


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Course Content

Statistics

Definition

Anatomy & InjuriesMechanics

Law

Risk AssessmentLifting Safely


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Anyone Hurt?


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Accident Statistics

Largest cause of accidents at work

37% Manual Handling

19% Slips, Trips and Falls12% Other Causes

20% Struck by an Object

7% Falling from Height

5% Machinery


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Accident Statistics

Interpreted another way - the overall figureof 37% means that:

86000 people are absent daily

26,500,000 working days are lost annually

1000,000,000 is lost in production,sickness benefit and medical costs

In terms of suffering each injury results in an

average of 20 days off work

some neverfully recover. Four out of five people suffer

with back related problems at some time the

risk is greater after the age of 30.


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Definition of Manual Handling

The transporting orsupporting of a load byhand or some other part of

the body including thelifting, putting down,pushing, pulling, carrying,

moving or intentionallydropping or throwing a load


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Anatomy

SpineThree main functions To protect the spinal cord

To allow movement.

To support the upper body

Complex System

Spinal Cord

Nerves Ligaments

Muscles & Tendons


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AnatomySpine - Strong and Flexible Gentle S bend Move or lift in wrong way balance

can be disturbed

Problems contributory factors Poor physical condition

Posture

Lack of exercise Excess weight

Illness


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Vertebrae 33 bones the top 24 are

separated by discs

Each vertebrae has 4 jointswhich enables movement

Vertebrae are largertowards the bottom of the

spine

Vertebrae

Spinal CordDisc


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AnatomyDiscs

Act as shockabsorbers

Firmly attached tovertebrae

Poor blood supply

Annulus stretchesand relaxes duringmovement.

Disc

Nucleus

Annulus


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AnatomyDiscs Repeated stresses

can cause minutetears and bulging ofthe disk.

Presses onadjacent nervesand ligamentspins & needles,pain, numbness

Commonly called aslipped disc


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Muscles

Muscles are bundles of fibre which enablemovement

Messages from the brain cause them tocontract and relax

Connected by tendons and when musclescontract the bones are drawn closer together

A damaged muscle is called a strain


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Mechanics Balance point is through centre of body when

standing

A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension isgenerated in the back muscles to compensate

Forms a lever effect

Average person holding a 10kg load at arms lengthgenerates a counterbalancing tension up to 10times more to avoid falling over

High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can

cause damage

called muscle strain


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Mechanics

Centre of Gravity

Centre of Gravity

Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body


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Ligaments & Nerves

Ligaments Strong fibrous tissue

Small degree ofelasticity

Stooped backposture can result inpermanentelongationweakness and pain

Damaged if stretched

too far and torncalled a sprain.

Nerves Millions of fibres

transmitting electricalimpulses

Vertebrae enclose andprotect

Nerves branch out fromthe spinal cord and passbetween vertebrae

Irritated nerves can befelt right along therelength called sciatica


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Manual Handling Regulations 1992

Regulations provide a hierarchy of measuresEmployers must:

Avoid manual handling where possible

Assess any hazardous activities where manual handling

cant be avoided

If the assessment indicates a significant risk of injury a

more specific assessment must be made

Reduce the risk of injury as far as is reasonably

practicable


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Employees have duties too:

Follow the laid down systems of work

Make proper use of equipment provided

Co-operate in H&S matters

Advise your manager if you are unwell

Not putting other people at risk

Manual Handling Regulations 1992


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Risk Assessment

T Task

I Individuals capabilities

L LoadE Environment

any other factors


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The Task

Holding loads awayfrom body

Twisting

Stooping

Reaching upwardsLarge verticalmovements

Long traveldistances

Strenuous pushingand pulling

Unpredictablemovement of load

Repetitive handlingInsufficient rest orrecovery time

Workrate imposed bythe process


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Individual Capability

Physical condition

Illness

Pregnancy

Requires unusual capabilities

Call for special information or training


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The Load

Heavy

Bulky or unwieldy

Difficult to graspUnstable/unpredictable

Harmful ie sharp/hot


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The Working Environment

Constraints on posture eg lack of space

Poor floors

Variations in levelsHot/cold/rain/ice/humid conditions

Strong air movement

Poor lighting conditions


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Other Factors

and people!! High Stress

Poor Diet

Lack of exercise

Rushing pressure of work

Showing off

Short cuts

Is movement hindered by clothing or personalprotective clothing


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Risk Assessment

Identify the elements of significant riskDecide who might be harmed and how

Evaluate risks/Control measures

Record the findings of assessment

Review/revise assessment

T Task

I Individuals capabilities

L Load

E Environment


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Video

Manual Handling The Facts


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Lifting Safely

Ultimate ObjectiveTo Relieve Fatigue & Strain

Use correct handling techniques

Ensure good visionChange position regularly

Avoid over reaching or stretching

Adjust work surface heights

Relax where possible

Use mechanical aids


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Kinetic Lifting

Summarised by:

Plan the Route

Assess the loadCorrect position of feet

Straight back

Correct gripLift smoothly


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Kinetic Lifting

Plan the Route

Where is the load going

Are there obstructions in the wayIs there somewhere to set it down


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Kinetic Lifting

One Person Lift

Determine the weight

Look for sharp edges

See if weight is evenly distributed

Keep heaviest side to body

Decide how to hold the load

If it is too heavy use a trolley or get assistance


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Kinetic LiftingCorrect Positioning of Feet

Comfortably apart

One foot positioned in direction ofmovement

Other foot where it can givemaximum thrust to the body

To maintain good balance

feet should never be too

close together on the ground


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Kinetic Lifting

Straight BackLower the body byrelaxing the knees

Keep your back

straight (but notvertical)

Keep load close tobody

Keep chin in and headback


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Kinetic Lifting

LiftingIf lifting from ground makemaximum use of legs

Keep back straight but

inclined forwardAs lift proceeds and thelegs are straightened theback returns to vertical

position

Positioning of feet and bending of

knees are the key factors in

maintaining a straight back


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Kinetic Lifting

Correct GripTake a firm grip by usingthe palms of the handsand roots of fingers

Taking weight on fingertips will create pressureat the end of fingers andcould strain muscles and

tendons in the arms

A full palm grip will reduce muscle

stress to the arms and decrease the

possibility of the load slipping


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Kinetic Lifting

Lifting Smoothly

Thrust from back foot and straightening ofknees will move body forwards and upwards

briefly off balanceImmediately countered by bringing the backfoot forward as if walking

Lift now completed - forward movement

results in smooth transition from lifting tocarrying


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Kinetic LiftingCarrying the Load

Make sure you can see where youare going

Avoid twisting the body moveyour feet instead

If you need to change your gripset the load down not whilstwalking

Setting the Load DownUse the correct stance for liftingand set the load down gently


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Kinetic Lifting

Two Person LiftDecide who will becaller

Assess the weight

Correct positioning offeet

Straight back

Correct grip

Lift together

The caller co-ordinates the lift and ensures

each lifter knows what to do and when


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Kinetic Lifting - Summary

Plan the route, the lift and the setdown point

Position your feet - bent knees,straight back

Firm grip, lift smoothly,

Move the feet do not twist body

Keep the load close to the body

Put down smoothly then adjust for

final position


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Conclusion?

Manual Handling by Adams Burt & Associates

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