Techniques
• Stop and think. Plan the lift, where is the load going to be placed?
• Use appropriate handling aids if possible;
• Do you need help with the load?
• Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials;
• For a long lift such as floor to shoulder height – consider resting the
load mid-way on a table or bench in order to change grip.
1
The following techniques should be consider as features of
good movement and should be integrated into safe lifting and
handling of loads.
Feet
Place the feet hip width apart. This provides a large base to balance the
body.
Put one foot, the lead foot, in front of the other and to the side of the load.
This provides a better balance and reduces the risk of stumbling. The body
should be as close to the load as possible.
Knees
Relax the knees and sink down until contact is made with the load. This
should be a relaxed, fluent movement with no attempts to keep the back
muscles tense and the spine unnaturally straight.
Hands
Tilt the Load Forward with the lead hand. The lead hand should be the
same as the lead foot. Tilting the load enables the person to gauge the
weight and stability of the load and to slip the other hand underneath the
load easily.
Grip the load with the palm of the hands and roots of the fingers. This
keeps the load under control and reduces tension in the forearms. One
hand should be underneath the load and the lead hand at the opposite
side of the load whenever possible.
Head
Arms
Keep the arms close to the body and the elbows tucked in when carrying.
This reduces tension and fatigue in the arms and shoulders. The load
should be carried well down the body to reduce unnecessary muscular
work.
The Body
2
A smooth progressive forwards movement should be incorporated when
lifting to give momentum to the load and reduce stress to the body.
The principles of safe lifting may require careful practice before they can
be automatically incorporated into an everyday routine but the rewards can
be significant. The body structures will maintain elasticity and the
progressive stiffening and loss of suppleness, which occurs with age, will
be reduced.
Risk Assessment
• It is a statutory requirement to avoid manual handling which could give
rise to the risk of injury, if at all possible.
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HSE GUIDANCE WEIGHTS
There is no such thing as a “completely safe” manual handling operation, but
the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the following guidelines on
levels of loads that are unlikely to pose hazards for most people:
NOTE: These weights are NOT what HSE say workers must lift, but loads
which are unlikely to cause the average person harm. These figures assume
that:
• the load can be gripped with both hands
• lifting is infrequent
• the person is in good health and of average strength and build
• there is no twisting
• the worker is in a stable body position
• working conditions are “reasonable”
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Good Handling Technique for Pushing and Pulling
• For both pulling and pushing a secure footing is necessary and the
hands need to be applied to the load between waist and shoulder
height wherever possible.
Pulling
Wrong Right
5
Pushing
Wrong Right
6
Mechanical Handling
Mechanical assistance involves the use of handling aids – an element of
manual handling is retained but bodily forces are applied more efficiently,
reducing the risk of injury. There are many examples
A trolley, sack truck or roll conveyor can greatly reduce the effort required to
move a load horizontally.
Handling devices such as hand-held hooks or suction pads can simplify the
problem of handling a load that is difficult to grasp.
Remember you must be in control of the load and not the load in control
of you.
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Clothing
All work clothing, such as uniforms, overalls, etc, should be close fitting but
restrict movement as little as possible. Fasteners, pockets and other features
should be concealed to avoid catching on loads.
Gloves
Gloves should be close fitting and supple with good ‘grip’ so as not to interfere
with manual dexterity.
Footwear
December 2005.