Object Handling Training

WHEN AN OBJECT IS MOVED IT IS AT RISK:

• DIRECT IMPACT

• PRESSURE ON ITS SURFACE

• UNNATURAL STRESSES

THE MOVE• WHERE DO YOU GRAB HOLD?

– Not at the top– Not by any protrusion– Maximise area of contact– Be aware of the centre of gravity

• HOW MUCH FORCE AND SPEED?

• HOW DO YOU TRANSPORT THE OBJECT?– Never carry an object in your arms– Never overload– Do not move objects of same general type but different sizes and

weights

• WHERE DO YOU PUT THE OBJECT DOWN?

SAFE LIFTING AND MANUAL HANDLING

• DO NOT JERK AND SHOVE, TWISTING CAN INJURE THE BODY• LIFT SMOOTHLY –• HOLD WEIGHTS CLOSE TO THE BODY• LIFT WITH THE LEGS – KEEP THE BACK STRAIGHT• GRIP LOADS WITH PALMS, TRY NOT TO CHANGE GRIP• DO NOT ALLOW LOAD TO OBSTRUCT YOUR VIEW

SAFE USING OF EQUIPMENT

• USE TRAINED PERSONNEL • OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS• DO NOT TAKE SHORT CUTS OR EXCEED WORKING LOADS• NEVER USE MAKESHIFT EQUIPMENT OR BADLY WORN EQUIPMENT• ALWAYS CHECK EQUIPMENT BEFORE USE

GLOVES

• MUST BE WORN:– if acids could accelerate corrosion– heat could damage – e.g. gilding– if health of staff could be affected

• GLOVES ARE OPTIONAL:– if staining or marking is a possibility – e.g. unglazed ceramics

• GLOVES SHOULD NOT BE WORN IF:– snagging may result– where direct contact is essential for a sure grip

JOURNEY

• WILL THE OBJECT GO THROUGH THE DOORS?• CAN THE OBJECT MAKE THE TURNS?• ARE THERE STAIRS, RAMPS OR LIFTS TO NEGOGIATE?• ARE THE FLOOR LOADINGS PERMISSIBLE?• IS THE FLOOR LEVEL SMOOTH?• HOW WILL YOU TRANSPORT IT?• DOES THE OBJECT REQUIRE SUPPORTING, PADDING OR TYING?• IS THE DESTINATION SUITABLE AND PREPARED?

THE DUMMY RUN (for any object you are unsure about because of its size or shape)……………………..

DESTINATION AND SAFE PLACEMENT OF THE OBJECT

• IN A CLEAN STABLE ENVIRONMENT, SIMILAR TO THE ONE FROM WHICH THE OBJECT WAS MOVED

• NEVER LEAVE AN OBJECT SITTING DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR

• CHANGES OF ENVIRONMENT (TEMPERATURE (°C) AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) SHOULD TAKE PLACE SLOWLY

• DO NOT ALLOW OBJECTS TO PROTRUDE INTO GANGWAYS

• NEVER CLIMB RACKS TO REACH UPPER SHELVES, ALWAYS USE LADDERS OR STEPS

• DO NOT LEAN HEAVY STACKS AGAINST STRUCTURAL WALLS

• NEVER EXCEED SAFE LOADING OF RACKS SHELVES OR FLOORS

• UNWRAP IF NON-PRESERVATION MATERIAL HAS BEEN USED FOR TRANSPORT (NON ACID-FREE TISSUE AND OR BUBBLE WRAP)