HANDLE

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIAL
Aspect: Manual Handling

DEMONSTRATE YOUR BEST SKILL

2 mins

MANUAL HANDLING
Special care is necessary to prevent:
Personal injury
Injury to others
Damage to the materials
Incorrect handling can lead to unnecessary injury and discomfort even
death.

WHAT IS MANUAL HANDLING?

Manual handling is any working task that requires

lifting
lowering
pushing
pulling
carrying

moving
holding

reaching

bending

twisting

MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES

manual handling injuries. Such injuries are not limited to back problems,
but to the whole human anatomy including:

fingers
hands
arms
feet

legs
ankles
necks
toes

Many of these injuries are caused by:

incorrect lifting techniques

carrying too heavy a load
over reaching
failure to use correct protective equipment
twisting, jerking or stepping up or down whilst lifting

MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USED WITH

MATERIAL HANDLING
When mechanical aids cannot be used the following manual handling practices
should apply:
plan your move by:
1 size up the load and make sure access is clear
2 get help if required

use a wide, comfortable and balanced stance

position the body as close as possible to the load
bend your legs not your back
take a firm and comfortable grip on the material
tighten your stomach muscles as the lift begins
when lifting keep your lower back in the normal, slightly curved position,
whilst using the leg muscles to lift

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

USED WITH MATERIAL
HANDLING

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

USED WITH MATERIAL
HANDLING

lift the feet, to pivot and turn, but do not twist the back
when lowering the load, it is a reversal of raising the load

when lifting long lengths of material, lift from the end and not from the
middle
if lifting heavy objects, make sure the entire palm of the hand is in
contact with
the material and not just the fingers

INDIVIDUAL
LIFTING
TECHNIQUE
Safe manual handling
techniques are an
essential part of
reducing the risks to
worker of the building
and construction site.

TEAM LIFTING TECHNIQUE

When loads are such that you cannot lift them safely alone, then team
lifting should be used if mechanical options are not available.

You must never attempt to lift a load that will create risks
to workers or the materials if that load should clearly be
shifted by mechanical means.
Team lifting uses the same lifting technique as outlined on page 28, but
involves a team effort by more than one (1) worker.

TEAM
LIFTING
TECHNIQUE

TWO PERSON LIFTING

As a rule, the two people required to lift should be of similar height and
physique to ensure an equal distribution of the load. One person should
coordinate the lift making sure that:
the load is carried on the same side
they walk in step making sure that there is clear access and vision

TEAM-LIFTING
Where the object is too heavy or bulky for two persons and mechanical
aids are not available, team-lifting should be used observing the lifting
principles applied to the two person method.

HANDLING MATERIALS OF VARIOUS SHAPES

Whenever possible the use of mechanical aids such as :

hand trolleys,
wheelbarrows,
hooks,
straps etc.

particularly over long distances.

If this is not possible the following lifting procedures should apply.

SHEET MATERIALS
grasp the sheet on the long side at the mid-point
tip sheet up, sliding lengthwise partly off the pile
bend knees, keeping back straight
grasp sheet above and below mid point.

lift and carry sheet, keeping back straight

avoid side leaning

beware of the dangers imposed by:
not being able to see on the other side of the sheet
cluttered pathways
restricted height going through doorways
wind - this can easily cause you to lose your balance or drop the sheet

SHEET MATERIALS
When the sheet is too bulky for one, get assistance and use the teamlifting technique.

BOXES, CARTONS AND

CRATES
Square or rectangular shaped objects are best handled by grasping the
object diagonally opposite top and bottom corners.
NB. Remember: If you estimate that the box, carton or crate is
too heavy for you to handle then use team lifting or mechanical
aids. The size is not always the determining factor, it is the
weight.

BOXES, CARTONS AND

CRATES
Mechanical Lifting Aids

CEMENT, LIME, FINE & COARSE

AGGREGATE, BAGGED
MATERIALS
place feet apart with the front foot beside the
bag and pointing in the direction of the load
position the rear foot at the back of the bag at an
angle
straddle the bag with both legs, bending the knees
and maintain a straight back.
grasp the bag diagonally opposite corners and grip
firmly
straighten the legs and transfer the load weight to
the rear foot by pushing off with the front foot
when carrying the bag, keep the load in close to
the body with one hand, whilst supporting the
underneath of the load with the other

MEDIUM TO LARGE
CYLINDRICAL DRUMS
When full, these should never be lifted manually.
They may be able to be rolled - but they should be lifted mechanically.
Do not try to be a hero - you could injure yourself permanently.

TIMBER PALLETS
Many building materials are delivered to the site on timber pallets. They
are usually loaded and unloaded with a forklift.
Once the pallets have been emptied they can form a hazard to other
workers if they are left lying around.
It is therefore necessary to collect and stack the pallets ready for
collection or return to the supplier.

WHEN LIFTING PALLETS

When lifting pallets take care to:
position the body at one corner with front
foot by the side of the pallet with the rear
foot in a comfortable position behind the
pallet
Grasp the pallet, by bending the knees and
lifting at the corner so that the pallet is
raised onto the rear edge
Once the pallet is raised to a vertical plane,
slide the pallet along
If pallets are to be stacked, or loaded onto
a vehicle never attempt to do it by yourself
- get assistance and work in a two-person
team
Where possible always use mechanical aid
e.g. pallet trolley or forklift

ERECTING SIGNS AND

BARRICADES
When working in areas where injuries may occur to either workers or to
any of the general public, it is important to abide by OHS&W Regulations
and manage hazards and risks.
Signs and barricades are forms of risk and hazard control that are
amongst those that should be used.
Signs and symbols provide visual information about dangers that may
exist on the work site.
Barricades are physical barriers positioned to detour the workers, site
visitors and the public away from danger.
Discuss with your Trainer the various forms that barricades can take.

ERECTING SIGNS AND

BARRICADES

STACKING OF MATERIALS
CLEAR OF TRAFFIC-WAYS
The storing and stacking of materials no matter for how short a time,
must not interfere with traffic or walk-ways.
Seek confirmation from the Foreperson in Charge of the building site,
where the materials are to be stacked or stored.

STACKING OF MATERIALS
CLEAR OF TRAFFIC-WAYS

Take care to:

use wedges or other restrainers to prevent pipes rolling into walkways
drums on their sides should be wedged
avoid having long materials protruding into walk-ways

weigh down or protect light materials from the wind

Dampen down regularly or cover with a plastic sheet, all fine dry aggregate or similar
material
store inflammable liquids away from heat or flames - preferably in a hazardous liquids fume
cabinet
store brittle materials in such a way as to prevent them being damaged by workers or other
materials
protect glazed windows to prevent breakage

Remember that security is also a consideration when storing materials, plant and equipment.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Good housekeeping includes:
1. daily job site clean-up of programs which should include lunch-rooms,
wash-rooms and toilets
2. regular disposal of rubbish in the most appropriate containers
3. individual responsibilities for all workers
4. materials piled, stacked or otherwise, must be correctly restrained to
prevent tipping or collapsing
5. materials stored away from overhead hazards, heat sources, fire
extinguishers, meters.....
6. work and travel areas kept tidy, well-lit and ventilated
7. signs, symbols and barricades erected to warn workers of hazardous areas

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Good housekeeping includes:
8. doorways, passage ways and traffic ways should be kept clear at all times
9. light and dusty materials should be stored away from draughts and wind
10.take all necessary precautions to prevent rubbish, materials, tools and
equipment from falling from overhead as materials are unwrapped, or
removed from boxes or other containers,
11.dispose of the waste materials immediately - it is not somebody elses job
12.pick up off cuts and other waste materials as they are produced - dont
work around, or on top of them until the end of the day or until somebody
else picks them up. This is just taking unnecessary risks.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
13.make all stacks of materials neat and tidy - stacks must be stable
14.dont stack materials too high as injury can occur when lifting things
down from overhead - or if they fall on top of you
15.compressed gas cylinders should be stored in a vertical position away
from heat sources, and secured with chains or ropes
16.timber should be stacked on flat level, dry surfaces with supports at
about 1m intervals - off cuts should be stacked according to size and
length
17.fire extinguishers should be appropriately placed, easily accessible, and
be regularly inspected

WORK SHEET
Question 1
What is meant by the term manual handling ?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

WORK SHEET
Question 2
You are asked to shift a box containing PVC plumbing fittings. The box
measures approximately 500 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm. Describe how you
would pick the box up from the pallet that is on the ground.
1 _______________________________________________________________________
2 _______________________________________________________________________
3 _______________________________________________________________________
4 _______________________________________________________________________
5 _______________________________________________________________________
6 _______________________________________________________________________
7 _______________________________________________________________________

WORK SHEET
Question 3
With the help of another worker demonstrate how you would pick up, shift
and put down an item identified by your supervisor.

WORKSHEET
Question 4
List five injuries that you could suffer if you do not use the correct manual
handling lifting technique.
1 _______________________________________________________________________
2 _______________________________________________________________________
3 _______________________________________________________________________
4 _______________________________________________________________________
5 ________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET
Question 5
Look at the picture on the right and make three comments about the
worker carrying the box.
1 ___________________________
_____________________________
2 ___________________________
_____________________________
3 ___________________________
_____________________________

WORKSHEET
Question 6
Fred and Jean were asked to shift the boxes of ceramic tiles into the storeroom
and stack them in the corner. On the right is a sketch of how they stacked the
tiles.
Explain at least 5 things that you can see are wrong, or that could occur.
1 _________________________________________
_________________________________________
2 _________________________________________
_________________________________________
3 _________________________________________
_________________________________________
4 _________________________________________
_________________________________________
5 _________________________________________
_________________________________________