1. Manual Handling The Robinson Services Training ethos
“Training Matters in pursuit of excellence”
ethos - the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.

2. Introduction
Manual handling is the transporting or supporting of a load by hands or bodily force including:
Lifting
Carrying
Putting down
Pushing
Pulling
Moving
Supporting

3. Introduction
No safe manual handling activity
No safe weight

4. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Employers responsibilities
Avoid handling where possible
Conduct assessment
Take steps to reduce risks
Provide load information
Employees responsibilities
Make proper use of equipment & follow safe working systems
Co-operate with their employer
Ensure others are not put at risk

5. The importance of correct manual handling
60% suffer back pain annually
30% become chronic sufferers
60 million working days lost in 1999
230,000 off work EVERY day
50 % of problems are to do with the back
Source HSE Guidance and DSS

6. Common manual handling injuries
Disc injuries
Ligaments and tendon injuries
Trapped nerves
Muscular injuries
Fractures, abrasions and cuts
Hernias

7. Structure of the Spine
Nerves:
- Provide energy to make muscles work

8. Structure of the Spine Discs :
- Jelly-like centre surrounded by tough rubber-like bands attached to bones
Allow flexibility
Act as shock absorbers

9. Intervertebral disc
Healthy Disc

10. Intervertebral disc
Central Prolapse

11. Intervertebral disc
Early Prolapse
Near Rupture

12. Intervertebral disc
Full Prolapse
Rupture

13. What can you lift ? your personal physique
It will vary according to:
your personal physique
your age, fitness and experience
the task
the nature of the load
working environment

14. Modifying the workplace layout can affect the workers’ postures.

15. Mechanical handling equipment

16. Modify the load: repackage to reduce weight

17. Kinetic lifting techniques
How not to do it!

18. Kinetic lifting techniques
One Person Lift
Determine the weight
Look for sharp edges
See if weight is evenly distributed
Keep heaviest side to body
Decide how to hold the load
If it is too heavy use a mechanical aid or get assistance

19. Kinetic lifting techniques
Comfortably apart and level with your shoulders
One foot positioned in direction of movement
Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body
Correct Positioning of Feet

20. Kinetic lifting techniques
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

21. Kinetic lifting techniques
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

22. Kinetic lifting techniques
Correct Grip
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
full palm grip will reduce muscle stress to the arms and decrease the possibility of the load slipping

23. Kinetic lifting techniques
Carrying the Load
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
Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently
11/10/2018

24. Kinetic lifting techniques
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

25. Kinetic lifting techniques
Plan the route, the lift and the set down point
Position your feet - bent knees, straight back
Firm grip, lift smoothly,
Move the feet – do not twist body
Keep the load close to the body
Put down smoothly – then adjust for final position

26. …and finally
This course has merely provided you with information on manual handling and how to conduct a manual handling risk assessment.
You will only protect your back and yourself if you practice the techniques learnt today.
Manual handling injuries can and do effect your quality of life

27. Questions?
The Robinson Services Training ethos “Training Matters in pursuit of excellence” ethos - the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.