Manual Handling An Introduction Manual Handling Course Content

Manual Handling An Introduction

Manual Handling

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

Anyone Hurt?

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

Accident Statistics 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 is lost in production, sickness benefit and medical costs 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.

Definition of Manual Handling 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

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

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

Disc Spinal Cord Vertebrae l l l 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 Vertebrae

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

Anatomy Discs l l l 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

Muscles l l 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

Mechanics l l l 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 10 kg 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 Centre of Gravity Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body

Ligaments & Nerves Ligaments l l 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 l l 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

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

Manual Handling Regulations 1992 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Risk Assessment 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 T I L E Task Individual’s capabilities Load Environment

Video Manual Handling – The Facts

Lifting Safely 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

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

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

Kinetic Lifting One Person Lift Determine the weight l Look for sharp edges l See if weight is evenly distributed l Keep heaviest side to body l Decide how to hold the load l If it is too heavy use a trolley or get assistance

Kinetic Lifting Correct Positioning of Feet l l l 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

Kinetic Lifting 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 l l l 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 Positioning of feet and bending of knees are the key factors in maintaining a straight back

Kinetic Lifting Correct Grip l l 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

Kinetic 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 Carrying the Load l l l 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 l Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently

Kinetic Lifting 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

Kinetic Lifting - Summary üPlan the route, the lift and the set down point üPosition your feet - bent knees, straight back üFirm grip, lift smoothly, üMove the feet – do not twist body üKeep the load close to the body üPut down smoothly – then adjust for final position

Conclusion?