Manual Handling An Introduction

1. Manual Handling An Introduction

2. Manual Handling

3. Statistics Definition Anatomy & Injuries Mechanics Law Risk Assessment Lifting Safely Course Content

4. Anyone Hurt?

5. Largest cause of accidents at work 37% Manual Handling 19% Slips, Trips and Falls 12% Other Causes 20% Struck by an Object 7% Falling from Height 5% Machinery Accident Statistics

6. Interpreted another way - the overall figure of 37% means that: 86000 people are absent daily 26,500,000 working days are lost annually £1000,000,000 is lost in production, sickness benefit and medical costs Accident Statistics In terms of suffering each injury results in an average of 20 days off work – some never fully recover. Four out of five people suffer with back related problems at some time – the risk is greater after the age of 30.

7. The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or some other part of the body including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or intentionally dropping or throwing a load Definition of Manual Handling

8. Spine Three main functions To protect the spinal cord To allow movement. To support the upper body Complex System Spinal Cord Nerves Ligaments Muscles & Tendons Anatomy

9. Spine - Strong and Flexible Gentle ‘S’ bend Move or lift in wrong way balance can be disturbed Problems – contributory factors Poor physical condition Posture Lack of exercise Excess weight Illness Anatomy

10. Vertebrae 33 bones – the top 24 are separated by discs Each vertebrae has 4 joints which enables movement Vertebrae are larger towards the bottom of the spine Spinal Cord Disc Vertebrae

11. Discs Act as shock absorbers Firmly attached to vertebrae Poor blood supply Annulus stretches and relaxes during movement. Anatomy Nucleus Annulus

12. Discs Repeated stresses can cause minute tears and bulging of the disk. Presses on adjacent nerves and ligaments – pins & needles, pain, numbness Commonly called a slipped disc Anatomy

13. Muscles are bundles of fibre which enable movement Messages from the brain cause them to contract and relax Connected by tendons and when muscles contract the bones are drawn closer together A damaged muscle is called a strain Muscles

14. Balance point is through centre of body when standing A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension is generated in the back muscles to compensate Forms a lever effect Average person holding a 10kg load at arms length generates a counterbalancing tension up to 10 times more – to avoid falling over High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can cause damage – called muscle strain Mechanics

15. Mechanics Centre of Gravity Centre of Gravity Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body

16. Ligaments & Nerves Ligaments Strong fibrous tissue Small degree of elasticity Stooped back posture can result in permanent elongation – weakness and pain Damaged if stretched too far and torn – called a sprain. Nerves Millions of fibres transmitting electrical impulses Vertebrae enclose and protect Nerves branch out from the spinal cord and pass between vertebrae Irritated nerves can be felt right along there length – called sciatica

17. Manual Handling Regulations 1992 Regulations provide a hierarchy of measures Employers must: • Avoid manual handling where possible • Assess any hazardous activities where manual handling can’t be avoided • If the assessment indicates a significant risk of injury a more specific assessment must be made • Reduce the risk of injury as far as is reasonably practicable

18. Employees have duties too: Follow the laid down systems of work Make proper use of equipment provided Co-operate in H&S matters Advise your manager if you are unwell Not putting other people at risk Manual Handling Regulations 1992

19. T Task I Individual’s capabilities L Load E Environment any other factors Risk Assessment

20. Holding loads away from body Twisting Stooping Reaching upwards Large vertical movements Long travel distances The Task Strenuous pushing and pulling Unpredictable movement of load Repetitive handling Insufficient rest or recovery time Workrate imposed by the process

21. Physical condition Illness Pregnancy Requires unusual capabilities Call for special information or training Individual Capability

22. The Load Heavy Bulky or unwieldy Difficult to grasp Unstable/unpredictable Harmful ie sharp/hot

23. Constraints on posture eg lack of space Poor floors Variations in levels Hot/cold/rain/ice/humid conditions Strong air movement Poor lighting conditions The Working Environment

24. and people!! High Stress Poor Diet Lack of exercise Rushing – pressure of work Showing off Short cuts Other Factors Is movement hindered by clothing or personal protective clothing

25. Identify the elements of significant risk Decide who might be harmed and how Evaluate risks/Control measures Record the findings of assessment Review/revise assessment Risk Assessment T Task I Individual’s capabilities L Load E Environment

26. Manual Handling – The Facts Video

27. Ultimate Objective To Relieve Fatigue & Strain Use correct handling techniques Ensure good vision Change position regularly Avoid over reaching or stretching Adjust work surface heights Relax where possible Use mechanical aids Lifting Safely

28. Summarised by: Plan the Route Assess the load Correct position of feet Straight back Correct grip Lift smoothly Kinetic Lifting

29. Plan the Route Where is the load going Are there obstructions in the way Is there somewhere to set it down Kinetic Lifting

30. One Person Lift 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 Kinetic Lifting

31. Correct Positioning of Feet Comfortably apart One foot positioned in direction of movement Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body Kinetic Lifting To maintain good balance feet should never be too close together on the ground

32. 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 Kinetic Lifting

33. Lifting If lifting from ground make maximum use of legs Keep back straight but inclined forward As lift proceeds and the legs are straightened the back returns to vertical position Kinetic Lifting Positioning of feet and bending of knees are the key factors in maintaining a straight back

34. Correct Grip 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 Kinetic Lifting A full palm grip will reduce muscle stress to the arms and decrease the possibility of the load slipping

35. Lifting Smoothly Thrust from back foot and straightening of knees will move body forwards and upwards – briefly off balance Immediately countered by bringing the back foot forward as if walking Lift now completed - forward movement results in smooth transition from lifting to carrying Kinetic Lifting

36. Carrying the Load Make sure you can see where you are going Avoid twisting the body – move your feet instead If you need to change your grip – set the load down – not whilst walking Setting the Load Down Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently Kinetic Lifting

37. Two Person Lift Decide who will be caller Assess the weight Correct positioning of feet Straight back Correct grip Lift together Kinetic Lifting The caller co-ordinates the lift and ensures each lifter knows what to do and when

38. Plan the route, the lift and the set down point Position your feet - bent knees, straight back Firm grip, lift smoothly, Move the feet – do not twist body Keep the load close to the body Put down smoothly – then adjust for final position Kinetic Lifting - Summary

39. Conclusion?