1. Manual Handling Training
SAFELAB COURSE

2. Introduction
Legislation
Anatomy
Ergonomics
Principles of lifting

3. Objectives At the end of this session you will be able to:
Basic understanding of your back
Understand principles of safe manual handling
Know when to stop!

4. are affected with back pain
Did You Know ?
80%
of people
in the western world
are affected with back pain

5. Manual Handling - Definition
Any transporting or supporting of a load by one or
more employees and which may include;
LIFTING
PUTTING DOWN
PUSHING
PULLING
CARRYING OR MOVING A LOAD
which by reason of it’s characteristics or unfavorable
ergonomic conditions involves risk, particularly of back injury to employees

6. 1. LEGISLATION Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989
(General Application 1993) Regs.

7. 2. Anatomy Why Is It important?
The Musculo-skeletal System of the body is designed for movement
In order to lift and handle an object safely it is essential to have a knowledge of this system and its flexibility

8. Spinal Column Neck Ribcage Lower back 7 Cervical 12 Thoracic 5 Lumbar
5 Sacrum
(fused)
4 coccyx (fused)

9. Lumbar Spine
5 vertebrae
Facet joints
Discs

10. Facet Joints
Only in Lumbar Spine
Gliding movement

11. Spinal cord
Down through the centre of the spine we have our spinal cord
This brings messages to the brain from the rest of the body and from the brain to the rest of the body
Nerves from the spinal cord control the movement of the trunk, arms and legs
And convey all sensations
If you break the spinal cord you will be paralysed !

12. Muscles The spine is strengthened and made moveable by muscles.
This makes your back flexible as opposed to a fixed bamboo like situation
Posture muscles are not designed for lifting

13. Spinal Ligaments
Ligaments: soft tissue in joint capsule. Limit mobility.
Long Ligaments
Limit movement of spine
Ligaments have certain degree of elasticity. If the stretching limit is reached injury will occur.

14. Types of Back Pain
There are over 100 accepted causes of low – back pain (small of the back)
Wear and tear being the most common
Three types of mechanical back injury which may be caused by poor manual handling practice
DISC INJURY
SOFT TISSUE INJURY
BONY INJURY

15. Disc Degeneration - Gradual
Nutrition cannot get to disc
Disc dries out
Lack of nutrition leads to disc degeneration
EXPERIENCE A HIGH LEVEL OF PAIN DUE TO PRESSURE ON NERVE ENDINGS

16. Disc Pressure
When pressure is applied on the spinal nerves pain can be felt in several areas
Sciatica is caused by disc pressure on the sciatic nerve
Pain Distribution

17. Wear and Tear
Wear and tear effects can be noticed from as early as 25 years of age – earlier if there has been an injury
Heavy physical work over a long period causes wear & tear
Remember we should only lift what we are physicaly able to lift at the time of the lift
Muscles are strained by over loading or a sudden stretch or unexpected movement
The more we overdo- the less we can do

18. Ergonomic Assessment
Information required to carry out an ergonomic assessment:
THE TASKS
THE LOADS
THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY

19. 5. Principles of Lifting Assess Task, Area, Load
Broad Stable Base (Feet Flat on Floor)
Bend the Knees
Back Straight (Not necessarily vertical)
Firm Grip (Palmer)
Arms in Line with Trunk
Weight Close to Centre of Gravity
Point feet in the Direction of Movement

20. Principles of Lifting Divide the load Balance the body
Example - Two smaller loads - as opposed to one large one

21. Pushing and Pulling Keep your back straight Bend at the hips and knees
Let your legs do the work
Pushing is better than pulling
Pushing is easier as you can see over the load
If you can’t see over the load GET HELP

22. 6. Practical application
To and from the floor
To and from a bench
To and from a height
Pushing
Pulling
2 persons lift

23. Summary There is legislation to help and protect you
Being aware of your body and how it works will prepare you
Being flexible and fit will benefit you
Handling loads correctly is the only way

24. ……nobody is immune to natural wear and tear
Health & Safety Office
Thank you for your time
&
Remember…….
……nobody is immune to natural wear and tear
……use it or lose it!