Manual handling briefing The aim of this briefing is to increase awareness amongst staff of the potential risks associated with manual handling, to provide guidance so that any manual handling activities undertaken are done safely and to prevent accidents. Firstly, you should be aware that health and safety law applies to you; as an employee you should have regard to your own duty of care to that of others who could be affected by what you do. Under the law you must assess your own safety and capability follow any system of work and comply with instructions make proper use of any equipment provided co-operate with your employer on health and safety matters, reporting on major concerns

Manual handling So, what is manual handling? It is the movement or support of a load using physical effort with or without the aid of equipment and includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving an object.

Manual handling, 36% Struck by object or vehicle, 20% Machinery, 5% Other, 13% Falls from height, 7% Trips, 19% Causes of accidents at work Although manual handling seems straightforward it is actually the root cause of many work-based accidents

Common manual handling injuries If you think about it there are many ways in which moving large, heavy or awkward objects could injure you or your work colleagues. You could drop the load, strain something when picking it up, collide with an obstacle obscured by the load, etc. It is not surprising then that a wide variety of injuries can be caused by poor manual handling. For example: a slipped disc, a hernia, back strains, cuts to the hand, crushed toes or fingers, fractures, torn ligaments, trapped nerves and the list goes on.

Back, 49% Rest of torso, 7% Arm, 10% Hand / wrist, 9% Finger / thumb, 14% Lower limb, 8% Other, 3% Injury frequency Although a variety of injuries can be caused by poor manual handling, by far the commonest is injuries to the back.

Back injuries Why should back injuries predominate? Because the back is the most vulnerable part of the body when poor technique is used: the lower back is subjected to ten times the weight of the object lifted. 10 kg 100 kg

First, think and plan Then adopt a good stance with your feet hip width apart Get a good grip, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift Carry the load at waist height, keeping it close to your body Put down safely and only then adjust Good technique So what is good lifting technique? You almost certainly know …

Reducing the risk of manual handling injury Although it is obvious, the easiest way to avoid manual handling injuries is not to do it in the first place. Does the load need to be moved? Can it be left safely where it is needed? When thinking about the task and how to minimise the risks you should find the following checklist useful: If going outside or somewhere where the floor might be slippery, am I wearing the appropriate clothing or footwear? Can I manage this? Is the load too heavy or bulky? Does it have sharp edges or loose parts? Test the weight before lifting. If it is too heavy or bulky, is equipment or help available? Can the load be made less strenuous by splitting it? Where is the load going and how far? Can I manage that? Is the route clear of obstacles? Will I be able to unload / lower it safely? Can I see over the load and therefore see where I am going?

Finally Don’t attempt to move a load you think is beyond your capability Don’t take chances, get help or advice from your supervisor No one should be asked to move anything they cannot manage safely