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Ergonomic Material Handling Guide for Workplace Safety

Learn how to reduce ergonomic risk factors in material handling to prevent strains and injuries. Understand SMART lifting techniques and control methods for a safer work environment.

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Ergonomic Material Handling Guide for Workplace Safety

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  1. MATERIAL HANDLING

  2. Ergonomics • Fitting the job to the worker • Goal: reduce or eliminate ergonomic risk factors • Result: reduced number and severity of strains and injuries

  3. Risk Factors • Repetitive motions • Awkward postures • Forceful exertions • Static posture • Duration • Frequency

  4. Engineering Controls • Mechanical devices • Work station design • Work methods

  5. Administrative Controls • Machine programming • Pacing of tasks • Rotation of work duties • Worker Training

  6. Material Handling Requires: frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lowering and raising materials Manual material handling tasks may increase the risk for strains and injuries to the: • Back • Shoulder • Neck • Knees

  7. Back Injuries • Some of the most common and costly injuries in the workplace • Loss of worktime  loss of income • Low back pain is most common in persons 30-50 years old

  8. Back Injuries Most common causes: • Lifting incorrectly • Carrying objects incorrectly • Pushing or pulling heavy objects • Overuse of certain muscles and joints

  9. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique Size up the load • Determine the weight • Assess the size, shape and stability • Avoid loads that obstruct your vision • Check your route

  10. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique Move • Get close to the load • Move load close to your body • Get a good grip

  11. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique Always bend your knees • Keep feet apart • Bend your knees NOT your back • Minimize bending at the waist

  12. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique Raise the load • Keep back upright • Tighten abdominal muscles • Lift smoothly

  13. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique Turn your feet • In the direction of travel • Avoid twisting

  14. Lowering the Load Follow the lifting process in reverse: • Keep load close to body • Get close to load destination • Set the load down smoothly

  15. 2 Person lift • Load is too heavy • Large or awkward shape • Coordinate – lift & lower • SMART Never lift objects heavier than 50 pounds without assistance!

  16. S.M.A.R.T. Lifting Technique • Sizeup the load • Movethe load close • Alwaysbend your knees • Raisethe load with your legs • Turnyour feet

  17. Mechanical Material Handling • Eliminates manual lifting • Equipment includes: • Fork lifts • Hoists & Cranes

  18. Pushing & Pulling • Pushing vs. pulling • Pushing – use both arms • Pulling - avoid sudden stops • Carts or hand trucks • Load considerations – height, balance, weight

  19. Summary Never lift objects heavier than 50 pounds without assistance! • Ergonomics - fitting task to worker • Risk Factors - repetition, awkward posture, forceful exertion and static posture • Frequency & Duration are critical • Control Methods - engineering & administrative • S.M.A.R.T. lifting technique

  20. Questions?

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