2. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas1 MANUAL HANDLING

3. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas2 Course Content Introduction Statistics Law Anatomy & Injuries Biomechanics Principles of Safe Handling

4. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas3 What is Manual Handling? “Any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.”

5. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas4 Anybody hurt?

6. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas5 Accident Statistics

7. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas6 Criminal ConcernsOffences against the state. Purpose of the action To preserve order in the community by punishment and deterrent. Burden of proof. The prosecutor must prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt. SanctionsImprisonment, Fine, probation, community service. Civil Disputes between private individuals. To remedy the wrong which has been suffered. Balance of probabilities. Damages (compensation). 2 Systems of Law

8. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas7 Anatomy & Injuries Spine - 3 main functions. To protect the spinal cord To allow movement. To support the upper body.

9. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas8 Anatomy & Injuries. Vertebrae Disc

10. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas9 Anatomy & Injuries. Ligaments Muscles & tendons Nerves

11. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas10 Types of Injury. Cumulative Sudden

12. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas11 Injury Causation Process. Restricted movement & muscle spasm Soft tissue shortenInjuryPain & inflammationSoft tissue overload Excessive loads Awkward postures Repetitive tasks Static postures

13. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas12 Anatomy & Injuries.

14. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas13 Causes of Injury. Excessive weights Awkward postures o Static Muscle work. o Repetition of tasks. o Degeneration of discs. o Ballistic movements. o Individual concerns. o Duration of task.

15. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas14 Biomechanics. Centre of Gravity. Centre of gravity Line of gravity

16. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas15 Biomechanics. Levers.

17. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas16 Biomechanics. Base of Support. 111188111188 1 111111

18. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas17 Biomechanics. Asymmetry Lopsided Ballistic movements Speed Force and resistance to movement Shopping trolley Human movement Normal is not always safe End range joint movement Squatting Static muscle work Holding a pint glass

19. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas18 Principles of Safe Handling. If Manual Handling Operations cannot be avoided then apply the principles of safe handling: Assess Plan Prepare Perform

20. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas19 Assess: Load Weight Shape Size Handles Packaging Stability Contents Principles of Safe Handling. Assess: Task Posture Frequency Duration Intensity Pacing Team Handling Rewards

21. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas20 Assess: Individual Strength Height Pregnancy Health Training Experience Gender Age Principles of Safe Handling. Assess: Environment Space constraints Floor condition and levels Temperature Humidity Ventilation Lighting Noise Housekeeping

22. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas21 Plan: Route. Consider start and end points. Are there doors or steps on the route? Any obstructions to be cleared? Are there vehicles or other persons to be aware of? Principles of Safe Handling. Plan: Task Consider the most appropriate postures. Is there mechanical equipment available? Is there anybody that can help? Is PPE being worn correctly?

23. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas22 Prepare: Yourself. Get a good grip of the load. Use PPE when necessary. Principles of Safe Handling. Prepare: Load Can the load be split? Make the load stable. Pack shifting contents tightly. Evenly distribute contents. Keep the centre of gravity of the load close to you. Cover sharp abrasive edges. Prepare: Area Clear area of obstacles. Warn people. Check destination. Ensure good lighting. Check housekeeping.

24. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas23 Principles of Safe Handling. Perform: Apply principles of biomechanics to reduce the loading on the spine Keep a wide base of support. Maintain the lumbar curve (low back) as much as possible. Brace yourself Get a good grip. Position feet in direction of travel. Use smooth controlled movements. Use friction to minimise force. Try to avoid twisting and stooping. Use team lifting where appropriate.

25. Mar 2001Joe McNicholas24 Conclusions.