1. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
DAVID HITCHCOCK BSc FErgS EurErg CMIOSH FRSH
MANUAL HANDLING

2. BACKGROUND THE RISKS RISK ASSESSMENT GOOD PRACTICE
PROGRAMME
BACKGROUND
The reasons why manual handling is such an important issue
and the legislation aimed at protecting people from the risks.   
THE RISKS
A look at the gamut of manual handling risks – and how to
avoid or manage them.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Assessing risk using the MAC tool and the L23 assessment.
GOOD PRACTICE
The principles of good manual handling practice
MANUAL HANDLING

3. BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
MANUAL HANDLING

4. 36% of over 3 day injuries are classed as ‘manual handling’
THE PROBLEM
HSE national priority
36% of over 3 day injuries are classed as ‘manual handling’
Over 100,000 reports of first incidence of lower back pain each year
Nearly 6 million working days lost each year due to back problems
MANUAL HANDLING

5. “Single episode” is often actually the result of cumulative trauma
INJURIES
“Single episode” is often actually the result of cumulative trauma
MANUAL HANDLING

6. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
THE NEUTRAL GOAL
MANUAL HANDLING

7. REDUCE (Reg 4(1)(b)(ii)) MONITOR / CONTROL (Reg 4(2))
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
AVOID (Reg 4(1)(a))
hazardous operations
ASSESS (Reg 4(1)(b)(i))
any hazardous operations that cannot be avoided
REDUCE (Reg 4(1)(b)(ii))
the risk of injury
MONITOR / CONTROL (Reg 4(2))
to further reduce the risks
MANAGE (Reg 5)
MANUAL HANDLING

8. “That Looks Hard” Check Break Tasks Down Look at Each Factor
THE REQUIREMENTS OF ASSESSMENT
“That Looks Hard”
Check
Break Tasks Down
Look at Each Factor
Double Check
“That Looks Easier”
Chip Away
Overall Risk Reduced
MANUAL HANDLING

9. Who /Job Title What Do They Do? Where?
WHO IS AFFECTED ?
Who /Job Title
What Do They Do?
Where?
MANUAL HANDLING

10. ADVICE www.hse.gov.uk/msd/index.htm
USEFUL HSE RESOURCES
ADVICE
LEAFLETS
BOOKS
MANUAL HANDLING

11. THE RISKS
THE RISKS
MANUAL HANDLING

12. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
A MATTER OF ERGONOMICS
Manual Handling
Task
Individual
Load
Environment
MANUAL HANDLING

13. Reaching/holding away from the body Twisting the body
TASK FACTORS
Reaching/holding away from the body
Twisting the body
Stooping downwards
Lifting from floor
Lifting above shoulder
Poor workplace layout
Long carrying distances
Static postures/lifting
MANUAL HANDLING

14. Insufficient rest or recovery Imposed work rate Team handling
TASK FACTORS
Frequency
Prolonged effort
Repetition
Insufficient rest or recovery
Imposed work rate
Team handling
MANUAL HANDLING

15. Pre-existing conditions Pregnancy
INDIVIDUAL FACTORS
Gender differences
Size differences
Age considerations
Pre-existing conditions
Pregnancy
MANUAL HANDLING

16. Weight Bulk Grasp Stability Predictably Intrinsic harm
LOAD FACTORS
Weight
Bulk
Grasp
Stability
Predictably
Intrinsic harm
MANUAL HANDLING

17. Slippery/contaminated floors Variations in levels Lighting Temperature
ENVIRONMENT FACTORS
Postural constraints
Slippery/contaminated floors
Variations in levels
Lighting
Temperature
Air movements
PPE
MANUAL HANDLING

18. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
‘SPOT THE HAZARDS 1’
MANUAL HANDLING

19. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
‘SPOT THE HAZARDS 2’
MANUAL HANDLING

20. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
‘SPOT THE HAZARDS 3’
MANUAL HANDLING

21. RISK ASSESSMENT www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING

22. RISK ASSESSMENT
MAC
L23
MANUAL HANDLING

23. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING

24. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
L23 : 3-STAGE PROCESS 1
Risk Filter 2
Preliminary Assessment 3
Detailed Assessment
MANUAL HANDLING

25. WARNING…ASSUMPTIONS www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
L23 : RISK FILTER
WARNING…ASSUMPTIONS
MANUAL HANDLING

26. Reduction to Guidelines
L23 : EXAMPLE ASSUMPTIONS
Only guideline figures for 95% of handlers
Load is easy to grasp
Environment is reasonable
Movement reductions:
Frequency
Reduction to Guidelines
Twist
per min
30%
45°
10%
per min
50%
90°
20%
per min
80%
MANUAL HANDLING

27. Preliminary Detailed www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
L23 : FURTHER ASSESSMENT
Preliminary
Detailed
MANUAL HANDLING

28. MODERATE RISK – Changes in the short/medium term
PUSHING & PULLING
350 – 450 N N
48 N
742 N
200 N
450 N
LOW RISK
MODERATE RISK – Changes
in the short/medium term
HIGH RISK – Immediate
changes required
MANUAL HANDLING

29. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC
MANUAL HANDLING

30. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC
LOW LEVEL OF RISK
The vulnerability of special risk groups should be considered where appropriate.
MEDIUM LEVEL OF RISK
Examine tasks closely
HIGH LEVEL OF RISK
Prompt action needed – a significant proportion of workers may be at risk of injury
VERY HIGH LEVEL OF RISK
Stop the task immediately and make improvement measures.
MANUAL HANDLING

31. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC FOR LIFTING TASKS
MANUAL HANDLING

32. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC FOR CARRYING TASKS
MANUAL HANDLING

33. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC FOR TEAM HANDLING TASKS
MANUAL HANDLING

34. www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
MAC SCORE SHEET
MANUAL HANDLING

35. GOOD PRACTICE
GOOD PRACTICE
MANUAL HANDLING

36. STEP 1 OF 11
Think Before You Lift
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. Think about the best way of lifting this load. 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.
MANUAL HANDLING

37. Keep the Load Close to Your Waist
STEP 2 OF 11
Keep the Load Close to Your Waist
Keep the load close to the trunk for as long as possible. The distance of the load from the spine at waist height is an important factor in the overall load on your spine and back muscles. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to your body. If a close approach to the load is not possible try sliding it towards you before attempting to lift it.
MANUAL HANDLING

38. Adopt a Stable Position
STEP 3 OF 11
Adopt a Stable Position
Have the feet slightly apart with one leg slightly forward to help maintain balance (alongside the load if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain a stable posture.
MANUAL HANDLING

39. Get a Good Hold on the Load
STEP 4 OF 11
Get a Good Hold on the Load
Try hugging it close to the body if possible. This may be better than gripping it tightly only with your hands.
MANUAL HANDLING

40. STEP 5 OF 11
Something New !!!!
At the start of the lift, moderate flexion (slight bending) of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or the hips and knees (squatting).
MANUAL HANDLING

41. Don’t Flex the Back Further
STEP 6 OF 11
Don’t Flex the Back Further
This can happen as you lift if you begin to straighten your legs before starting to raise the load.
MANUAL HANDLING

42. Avoid Twisting or Leaning…
STEP 7 OF 11
Avoid Twisting or Leaning…
especially while the back is bent. Keep shoulders level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning (by moving the feet) after lifting is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
MANUAL HANDLING

43. STEP 8 OF 11
Keep the Head Up
Look ahead, not down at the load once you have grasped it and secured it.
MANUAL HANDLING

44. STEP 9 OF 11
Move Smoothly
Try not to jerk or snatch at the load as this can make it harder to keep control of the load and can increase the risk of injury.
MANUAL HANDLING

45. Limit to What Can be Easily Managed
STEP 10 OF 11
Limit to What Can be Easily Managed
There is a difference between what you can lift and what you can safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.
MANUAL HANDLING

46. STEP 11 OF 11
Put Down Then Adjust
If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
MANUAL HANDLING

47. ISBN-10: 1420077511 www.davidhitchcock.co.uk MANUAL HANDLING
GOING A BIT FURTHER
ISBN-10:
MANUAL HANDLING