Manual Handling Training

Manual Handling Training Gideon Bruno Kopol | Project Manager |HSE Specialist | Workplace Trainer

❑ MANUAL HANDLING – LEARNING OUTCOMES 0 By the end of this session, you should be able to know ❑ Definition of Manual Handling; ❑ Examples of Manual Handling; ❑ Examples of Manual Handling Injuries; ❑ Causes of Manual Handling Injuries; ❑ Best Practices in Manual Handling ❑ Correct Lifting Techniques in Manual Handling; and ❑ Practical Demonstration on the Correct Lifting Techniques SHESTPNG|T360

❑ MANUAL HANDLING – DEFINITION Manual Handling is when workers use their bodies to manually handle objects at work, and can simply be just moving something from one place to another. This can include transporting and supporting, which can be through the use of, for example, your hand or the force of your whole body. It has been estimated that manual handling injuries account for between 25% and 40% of all workplace injuries. Some people don’t realise that manual handling doesn’t just occur in workshops and warehouse but in every occupational environment, including the office. This means that we are all at risk of manual handling injuries and we all need to know how to prevent them. SHESTPNG|T360

❑ EXAMPLES OF MANUAL HANDLING ACTIVITIES Manual Handling includes activities and task such as: Lifting ▪ Pushing ▪ Operating machinery ▪ Pulling ▪ Repetitive tasks ▪ Carrying ▪ Striking ▪ Throwing ▪ Holding ▪ Sliding ▪ Stacking ▪ SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 1. BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES Back, neck and shoulder injuries are common manual handling injuries and are a result of handling items using incorrect techniques. Your back is your weakest body part in relation to manual handling. Although back injuries can appear as not too serious initially, they can eventually become serious long-term health problems. Shoulder injuries from incorrect lifting can cause a dislocation of the shoulder. When an object is too heavy and you force yourself to lift it, it could cause neck injuries such as tearing: ▪ Ligaments ▪ Muscles ▪ Tendons SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 2. STRAINS AND SPRAINS If you suffer a strain or sprain during manual handling work, it can result in a chronic condition. Strains or sprains can occur because you put too much weight on a part of your body such as your legs, wrists and arms. This can cause an over overstretched muscle. Symptoms of a sprain can include. bruising pain surrounding the sprained joint swelling inability to properly move the area. ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 3. HAND AND ARM INJURIES During manual handling work, workers use their hands the majority of the time. Therefore, hand injuries are very common manual handling injuries at work. Hand injuries can occur either by handling objects as well as due to how an object is placed. Hand injuries at work can include: ▪ broken fingers ▪ cuts ▪ burns ▪ strains ▪ fractures SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 4. MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER The musculoskeletal Disorder : three (3) main types of Manual Handling tasks can lead to injury through the development of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) ▪ Back or neck pain ▪ Upper limbs - Pain in wrists, shoulder or arms ▪ Lower Limbs - Stabbing pains in arms or leg An MSD is an injury affecting the bones or soft tissue structure (other than organs) of the body that is caused by manual handling at work. These will not be obvious immediately and can affect your bones, joints and muscles. They can cause damage tissues and can include pain and stiffness. to joints and SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 5. SLIP, TRIP AND FALL INJURIES It is common to experience a manual handling injury through a slip, trip or fall in the workplace. You may experience this because you are carrying a large object which gets in the way of your vision or distracts you from the environment around you. This can also occur due to: ▪ a spillage ▪ a loose cable ▪ uneven floor A slip, trip or fall at your workplace can also cause further workplace injury to another worker. SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 6. CUTS, BRUISES OR FRACTURES It is common in the workplace to experience a manual handling injury such as a cut. Handling sharp objects can cause this. It is also common to experience a bruise or fracture as a result of manual handling which can potentially keep you off work for a long time. SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 7. HERNIAS Manual handling in the workplace can cause a hernia. This can result from lifting heavy objects, including suddenly straining to do so. Your muscles can strain which then causes the hernia. Hernias often affect older people and can require an operation to resolve the situation. • Abdominal Hernia - tears in the weak points of the muscular wall; SHESTPNG|T360

❑ COMMON MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES 8. FOOT INJURIES? Foot injuries are common workplace injuries for those who work in manual handling jobs. The risk of a foot injury increases if you fail to use protective footwear. Foot injuries often occur due to an object being dropped on a foot because: the object slips from a person's grasp it has been held incorrectly an object has been suddenly dropped of incorrectly placing an object on the ground ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Foot injuries in the workplace can result in crushed or broken bones. SHESTPNG|T360

❑ MANUAL HANDLING - BEST PRACTICES ▪ ALWAYS REMEMBER TO: ✓ Complete a proper Risk Assessment for the task ✓ Discuss and complete a JSEA before the start of the task ✓ USE CORRECT PPE: steel-capped boots, gloves, long sleeve shirts, glass/goggles, etc ✓ Size up the load - to make sure it is not too heavy or large for you to grip and lift; ✓ Weight must not exceed > 20 Kg ✓ Secure loads ✓ Seek Assistance if possible ✓ Use Mechanical load shifting devices as much as possible – forklift, trolley, etc SHESTPNG|T360

❑ MANUAL HANDLING – BEST PRACTICES ▪ ALWAYS REMEMBER TO: ✓ Keep focused on the task ✓ Avoid lifting heavy objects and packages from floor level or places higher than your shoulders. ✓ Avoid bending your back, twisting and overloading ✓ Always maintain good Housekeeping ✓ Break down or divide larger items and packages into smaller and lighter quantities to carry them easier, especially when you need to travel a long distance with them. ✓ Use correct Manual Handling Techniques by using you knee joints and leg muscles. ▪ APPLY THE SIX BASICS PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES DURING MANUAL HANDLING SHESTPNG|T360

❑Manual Handling – Correct Lifting Techniques SHESTPNG|T360

❑ PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION - PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES SHESTPNG|T360

❑ MANUAL HANDLING – SUMMARY SUMMARY ✓ We defined what Manual Handling means. ✓ We looked at what causes injury through poor Manual Handling. ✓ We discussed how to avoid Manual Handling Injuries. ✓ We did a practical assessment. SHESTPNG|T360

❑ ANY QUESTIONS ? SHESTPNG|T360

Manual Handling Training - Correct Lifting Technique - SHEST PNG