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A Guide To Manual Handling Risk Assessments

Posted: Sep 04, 2018
Manual handling of loads without proper training can cause serious injuries at the workplace. Manual Handling task can be defined as transporting or supporting of a load by following practices like lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving by hand or restrain any person, animal or thing involving one or more of the following repetitive or sustained force. Manual handling injuries are part of a wider group of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Risk at Work - Manual handling
As per the recent reports the manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries.
Take a proper training in manual handling to avoid workplace injuries.
Understand the size of the load and the path that you have to take this load before doing the task.
Think before lifting/handling the load.
Adopt a stable position to lift properly.
Get a good hold on the load.
Start in a good posture.
The important guidelines for risk assessment in manual handling:
The maximum weight a person should lift is 25kg.
Management’s Responsibility is to make sure all the employees have a certified course in manual handling.
Employees / Volunteers Responsibility is vital in the workplace to avoid injuries.
Basic Manual Handling Guidelines and awareness training. includes:
- Plan how to lift the load
- Find Best Way of Lifting the loads.
- Take a perfect Grip on the load.
- Pull Load Close to Body as much as possible.
- Alternate Heavy & Light Lifting.
- Find a team to Lift, so as we can reduce the weight of the load up to a certain limit.
Factors of Manual Handling Tasks
Posture / Actions
Weight / Force
Duration / Frequency
Work Environment
Age
Weight
Clothing
The risk factors are related to the different aspects of manual handling:
Weight and specific characteristics of the loads
Task and organisation of work properly
Workplace layout and equipment that are used to lift the load
Work environment
Individual capacity, skills and training level.
Ensure that the object is light enough to lift, is stable and unlikely to shift or move
Heavy or awkward loads should be moved using a handling aid
Make sure the route is clear of obstructions
Make sure there is somewhere to put the load down wherever it is to be moved to
Bend your knees and try and keep the back's natural, upright posture
Carry the load close to the body with the elbows tucked into the body
Avoid twisting the body as much as possible by turning your feet to position yourself with the load.
About the Author
Olive Safety run an extensive range of safety training courses which help to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Our accredited H&S consultants train the courses with the view to making it an informative and enjoyable experience.
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