23. Manual Handling
Manual Handing – means any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain some things . It also includes any activity involving repetitive and/or movements.
Manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries. These include work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as pain and injuries to arms, legs and joints, and repetitive strain injuries of various sorts.
The term manual handling covers a wide variety of activities including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying. If any of these tasks are not carried out appropriately there is a risk of injury
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| Hazard Category | Hazards | Controls |
| Stanined Muscles and Torn Liaments | 1. Can occur through attempting to lift, pull or push a load outside your physical capabilities | 1. Mechanical Handling devices shall be used wherever possible, i.e. crane, rigging equipment, forklifts, pallet trucks or trolleys, etc.
2. A manual handling assessment shall be implemented to identify the precautions necessary to ensure that personnel are not injuried. 3. Manual handling training shall be implemented for the workforce to ensure that they are aware of the risks present and theprecautions necessary. |
| Cuts, Burns and Abrasions | 1. Can occur when loads are handled without wearing suitable PPE | 1, Wherever possible. loads shall be covered or packed in such a way so as not harm the carrier.
2. Personnel shall wear suitable hand protection to reduce the possibility of harm. 3. Dual lifting shall be utilized whenever possible (Taking into account the size and weight of the load to be moved.) |
| Dropped Loads | 1. Can not only damage the load being lifted but could also injure the person(s) carrying the load. | 1. Personnel shall not exceed their own lifing capabilities. : “Do not try to impress your colleagues” If you cannot push or pull it, Do not attempt to lift it.
2. Suitable PPE shall be worn to protect feet and legs. 3. Load shall be secure prior to lifting it. |
| Slips, Trips, and Falls | 1. Can occur if access ways are not kept clear and/or if housekeeping standards are poor. | 1. Personnel shall ensure they are aware of where the load is to be carried and the hazards which may be present.
2. Any obstruction shall be moved prior to lifting the load. 3. All spillages and waste materials shall be disposed of and/or cleaned up. 4. Access routes shall be kept clear at all times. 5. Mechanical handling devices shall be used wherever possible. |
| Environmental Conditions | 1. Can affect manual handling operations, i.e. carrying burky items in windy conditions or slippery items in the rain. | 1. An assessment shall be carried out prior to moving the load (During the tool box meeting, if necessary) and potential environmental hazards indentified and controlled.
2. Control measures implemented shall be adequate for the risks present. |
| Falls and Slipping | 1. Can occur by attempting to lift a load outside your own physical capabilities or by falling or slipping during the lifting or carrying operation. | 1. Personnel shall never proceed to lift or move a load which is outside their own physical capablities, “Obtain assistance.”
2. Mechanical handling device shall be used wherever possible . |
Good handling technique for lifting
There are some simple things to do before and during the lift/carry:
- Remove obstructions from the route.
- For a long lift, plan to rest the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
- Keep the load close to the waist. The load should be kept close to the body for as long as possible while lifting.
- Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.
- Adopt a stable position and make sure your feet are apart, with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance
Think before lifting/handling. Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
Adopt a stable position. The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain your stability. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult.
Get a good hold. Where possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body. This may be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.
Start in a good posture. At the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting).
Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.
Keep the load close to the waist. Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.
Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.
Move smoothly. The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.
Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed. There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.
Put down, then adjust. If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
[More information : https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/ ] from https://www.hse.gov.uk/
Manual Handling 은 근골격계 질환을 야기시킬 수 있습니다. 안전보건교육용 국문자료로도 안전보건공단에 많이 제시되어 있으니 참고하실 수 있습니다.
감사합니다.