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Manual Handling Awareness Training Course For Staff

This document provides information and guidelines for safe manual handling. It discusses common injuries from improper lifting techniques and back pain statistics. It emphasizes planning lifts, assessing loads, lifting with the legs, keeping a straight back, and getting help for heavy loads. Guidelines are given for recommended maximum weights to lift at different heights and for males vs females. Safe techniques like warm up exercises and maintaining good posture are also covered.

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Kawan Dokter Syafri Bireuen
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© © All Rights Reserved
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72 views

Manual Handling Awareness Training Course For Staff

This document provides information and guidelines for safe manual handling. It discusses common injuries from improper lifting techniques and back pain statistics. It emphasizes planning lifts, assessing loads, lifting with the legs, keeping a straight back, and getting help for heavy loads. Guidelines are given for recommended maximum weights to lift at different heights and for males vs females. Safe techniques like warm up exercises and maintaining good posture are also covered.

Uploaded by

Kawan Dokter Syafri Bireuen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MANUAL HANDLING

AWARENESS TRAINING COURSE


FOR STAFF
CHANGING CULTURES
People are often injured because of either a lack of
knowledge or an unwillingness to get help.

Dont be a manual handling hero!

Remember: your well being rests on your ability to do


your job safely - get help, get it right.
ACCIDENT STATISTICS
INJURIES STATISTICS
SITES OF INJURIES STATISTICS
BACK PAIN - THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM

2 million people in Great Britain suffered from


work related ill health in 2004/05 - one in five of
those involved a bad back.
Around 4 million working days were lost through
bad backs in 2001/02.
On average each sufferer took 17.4 days off work.

One in eight unemployed people say that back pain


is the reason they're not working.

Figures taken from HSE better backs campaign 2006.


THE BACK
Where The Worst Damage Gets Done!

Spinal Cord

Vertebrae

Disc
MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES
WARM UP EXERCISES

Warming up before taking any manual work is essential to


avoid damage to muscles and ligaments. Examples of
exercises include:

Arm Circles Limb Shakes Spot Marching

Shoulder Rotations Breathing Leg Swings


POOR MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES
GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

Head erect
Chin up
Back straight
Elbows in
Knees bent
Feet slightly apart
PLAN THE LIFT
Prior to carrying out any manual handling task stop &
think plan the lift

Are handling aids available to


prevent/reduce manual handling?

Where is the load going?

Do you need help.

Remove obstructions.

Is the way clear of slip hazards?

Do you need rest stops?


ASSESS THE LOAD
Look at the position of the load
Slide it towards you rather than reaching.
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.
PICKING UP THE LOAD
Part 1 position yourself correctly next to the load

Correct Positioning of Feet:

Comfortably apart.
One foot positioned in direction of movement.
Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to
the body.
To maintain good balance feet
should never be too close
together on the ground.
PICKING UP THE LOAD
Part 2 Bending down to pick up the load

With a straight back:

Lower the body by relaxing


the knees.

Keep your back straight


(but not vertical).

Keep load close to body.

Keep chin in and head back.

Lean over the load to get a


firm grip.
LIFTING THE LOAD

If lifting from ground make maximum use


of legs.
Keep back straight but inclined forward.
Lift smoothly.
As lift proceeds and the legs are
straightened the back returns to vertical
position.

Positioning of feet and bending of knees


are the key factors in maintaining a
straight back.
CARRYING THE LOAD
Part 1 - Ensure the load is gripped correctly

Take a firm grip by using the palms of the hands and roots
of fingers.

Taking weight on finger tips will create pressure at the end


of fingers and could 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.
CARRYING THE LOAD
Part 2 Walking with the load and laying it down.

Make sure you can see where you are going.

Avoid twisting the body, move your feet


instead.

Keep the load as close to your body as


possible.

If you need to change your grip,


set the load down not whilst walking.

Set the load down and adjust.

Use the correct stance for lifting and set the


load down gently.
GUIDELINES FOR A TWO PERSON LIFT

Decide who will be caller.

Assess the weight.

Correct positioning of feet.

Straight back.

Correct grip.

Lift together.

The caller co-ordinates the lift and ensures


each lifter knows what to do and when.
GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (MALE)
Full Height 10kg 5kg

Shoulder Height

20kg 10kg
Elbow Height
25kg 15kg

Knuckle Height 20kg 10kg

Mid Lower Leg 10kg 5kg

Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting


and lowering.
The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both
hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions
with the lifter in a stable position.
GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (FEMALE)
Full 7kg 3kg
Height
Shoulder Height
13kg 7kg
Elbow Height 16kg 10kg

Knuckle Height 13kg 7kg

Mid Lower Leg 7kg 3kg

Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting


and lowering.
The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both
hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions
with the lifter in a stable position.
GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

Head erect
Chin up
Back straight
Elbows in
Knees bent
Feet slightly apart
IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN
Try to keep moving.

Try to stay at work or get back as soon as possible.

Heat or cold may help.

May need to reduce or modify activities.

If severe you may need to rest for a few days.

Seek medical advice.

The faster you get going the sooner your back will feel better.
REMEMBER!
You can help prevent back pain by:

Maintaining good posture.

Exercising regularly.

Warming up appropriately for tasks/exercise.

Watching your weight.

Changing posture regularly when performing repetitive tasks.

Keeping fit and active.


PRACTICAL EXERCISES

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