SEO Key Takeaways – Manual Handling

1. Manual handling causes 28% of workplace injuries in Victoria, highlighting the critical need for proper training and risk management.

2. Manual handling includes lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, holding, restraining, and throwing, as well as repetitive tasks like packing, typing, cleaning, and animal handling.

3. Workplace design is the most effective prevention method, while posture and correct lifting techniques alone are insufficient to fully reduce injury risk.

4. Risk factors include heavy loads, awkward postures, repetitive movements, prolonged durations, and poorly organised workspaces, emphasising the need for comprehensive risk assessments.

5. Safe lifting techniques require keeping the load close to the body, maintaining a straight back, stable stance, and avoiding twisting or leaning sideways.

6. Use mechanical aids or team lifts when objects are too heavy or awkward, such as trolleys, hoists, or forklifts, to minimise injury risk.

7. Training and awareness are essential, ensuring employees understand manual handling risks, safe techniques, and workplace procedures.

8. Adjust the work environment to reduce manual handling hazards, including reorganising storage, shortening carrying distances, and removing obstacles.

9. Manual handling injuries can result in serious musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries, affecting both workers and employers.

10. CPR First Aid offers first aid courses across Australia, including CPR training and workplace safety education, equipping staff to respond effectively in emergencies.

What is manual handling?

Manual handling is the cause of 28% of all workplace injuries in the state of Victoria.

“Manual handling” refers to various actions, such as carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, restraining, and throwing. Manual handling operations entail repetitive tasks such as packing, typing, assembling, cleaning, and sorting, using hand tools, operating machinery and equipment, and handling and restraining animals.

Even though not every aspect of manual handling poses a risk, the vast majority of jobs in Australia and throughout the world require some manual labour, which means that almost all employees are exposed to at least some level of danger.

However, research indicates that changing the workplace’s design is the most effective way to prevent manual handling injuries. Good posture and proper lifting techniques can help reduce the risks, but these measures are insufficient.

Source: Victorian State Government Education and Training

Why is it essential to properly know how to handle manuals?

Work-related injuries sustained due to manual handling can have severe repercussions on the body. It can affect the person who was injured and the employer. Heavy manual labour, awkward postures, repetitive movements of the arms, legs, and back, and previous or existing injuries can all increase the risk of these kinds of accidents in the workplace. They can happen almost anywhere.

Here is a question: What are safe movement patterns for manual tasks? When reaching for a load, should one twist or stoop? The answer is neither. Let’s check out what you need to consider when handling manuals. 

What is needed to keep in mind when handling manuals?

It would be best to do everything in your power to avoid manual handling tasks in the work environment, as this will help reduce the risk of injuries. However, when it is impossible to prevent handling a load, employers must perform a risk assessment of the task and implement reasonable health and safety measures to protect their employees from getting hurt. Always keep in mind the following considerations for any lifting activity:

• Individual capacity and the conditions of the environment.
• The organisation of manual handling training for workers. Ensure all employees understand the correct manual handling techniques.
• If you have to lift something manually, try to avoid twisting, stooping, and reaching as much as possible. Keeping a firm grip with shoulders level and the back straight is an ideal safe manual handling technique.
• Avoid handling and lifting heavy loads, especially from the floor or above shoulder height.
• Keep the heaviest side of the load close to the body.
• Make necessary adjustments to storage areas to reduce the number of times you’ll have to go through these motions.
• Think about ways to cut down on the distances you have to carry.
• Evaluate the weight of the load that needs to be carried, the worker’s ability to move the load safely, and whether or not the worker requires any assistance; perhaps the load can be broken down into smaller, lighter components.
• If you have to use lifting equipment, you should consider using a lifting or handling aid instead, such as a forklift, an electric or hand-powered hoist, or a conveyor.
• Consider the role that storage plays in the delivery process. Bulky items might be able to be brought closer to or delivered directly to the storage area. In addition, ensure no obstructions on the path to the storage area.
• Cut down on the carrying distances whenever you can.

Source: Better Health

Evaluation of the dangers involved in manual handling

The next thing that needs to be done is an analysis to determine which factors add to manual handling risk. The following are examples of common risk factors that can increase the likelihood of suffering an injury:

• The weight of an object.
• A heavy load may be difficult to lift and carry the location of an object.
• Heavy objects must be lifted awkwardly, for example, above shoulder height or below knee level duration and frequency.
• Working in a fixed posture for a prolonged period type of work.
• Working in a posture that does not allow for movement for an extended period layout of the workspace.
• A cramped or poorly designed workspace can force people to assume awkward postures, such as bending.
• Increasing the number of times an object is handled or the time for which it is dealt with the condition of an object.
• More effort may be required to manipulate awkward loads of poorly designed or poorly maintained equipment.
• The inability to maintain a firm grip on the load. This includes loads that are difficult to grasp, slippery, or awkwardly shaped.
• Lifting or restraining can cause sprains and other injuries when handling a live person or animal.

A competent method of lifting and moving objects

Before and during lifting or carrying, there are a few easy things to remember to do:

• Always keep good manual handling techniques in mind.
• Take away any obstacles that are in the way.
• If lifting requires time, plan to change your grip by setting the load down on a table or bench halfway through the lift.
• Maintain a position where the load is close to your waist. When lifting, it is essential to keep the load as close to the body as possible for as long as possible.
• Always ensure the heavier part of the load is next to your body.
• Adopt a stable position and make sure your feet are apart. To maintain balance, slightly advance one leg from its normal position.
• Think before lifting/handling. Make plans for the lift. Are handling aids available? Where will the load be positioned once it has been moved? Will you need assistance in carrying the load? Remove any obstacles, such as used wrapping materials thrown away. If you have a long life ahead, consider changing your grip by setting the load on a table or bench halfway through the lift.

Take a steady position.

To maintain balance, the feet should be slightly separated, and one leg should be somewhat advanced (alongside the load if it is on the ground). It would be best to get used to moving your feet around to keep your balance while lifting. Avoid clothing that is too constricting and footwear that is not suited to the task.

Get a good grip

The load should be carried as close to the body as possible. Taking a firm hold of it with your hands might not be the best strategy.

Get into a good starting posture.

At the beginning of the lift, starting with a slight bend in the back, hips, and knees is preferable rather than stooping all the way forward with the back wholly flexed or fully bending the hips and knees (squatting).

Avoid bending your back any further than necessary

This can occur if the legs start to straighten out before the lift is even begun. This will help to reduce any back injuries.

Maintain a position where the load is close to your waist

When lifting, keep the load as close to the body as you can most of the time. Always ensure the heavier part of the load is next to your body. Before attempting to lift the load, you should see if you can slide it closer to your body if you cannot get a close enough approach.

Avoid twisting or leaning sideways.

Avoid bending your back in a way that causes you to twist or lean sideways, especially while your back is bent. Shoulders must be brought down to the same level as the hips and turned in the same direction. Turning by moving the feet instead of twisting the body while lifting simultaneously is preferable.

Keep your head up

When handling it, keep your head up. Once you have the load securely held, you should look ahead of you rather than down at the load.

Maintain a steady motion.

It is essential to avoid jerking or snatching the load because doing so can make it more challenging to maintain control and increase the risk of injury.

Do not attempt to lift or handle more than you can easily control.

There is a distinction to be made between what people are capable of lifting and what they can lift safely. If in doubt, seek advice or get help. Turn to the manual handling control measures. These include making the load lighter, using mechanical aids, reorganising the environment, etc.

Make adjustments if necessary.

Place and readjust as necessary. If the load’s positioning needs to be precise, put it down first and then slide it into the position you want it to be in.

Source: Health and Safety Executive

Conclusion

Manual handling is moving or manipulating objects by human effort rather than machinery. The safe operating procedure manual handling purview includes, but is not limited to, activities such as lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. These tasks can be hazardous if not carried out correctly and can lead to manual handling injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries. However, four steps in manual handling can be taken to reduce the risks associated with manual handling.

Firstly, being steady when carrying out manual handling activities is essential. This means adopting an upright and balanced posture, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Secondly, you should get a good grip on the object you lift, using both hands if possible.

Thirdly, lifting the object without twisting, bending backwards or leaning sideways is essential. Fourthly, it would be best only to attempt to lift objects within your capabilities. If an object is too heavy or awkward to lift safely, ask for assistance from another person or use mechanical aids such as hoists or trolleys. By following these simple tips and procedures for manual handling, you can help to ensure that manual handling activities are carried out safely and effectively.

We hope this article has helped to highlight the importance of learning proper manual handling techniques. It’s crucial for both your safety and those around you to master these techniques. Safe Work Australia provides codes of practice that all businesses should follow. These include the correct and safe manual handling procedures.

If you would like to learn more about how to respond in a first aid emergency, CPR First Aid offers various first aid courses across Australia. These include CPR training, childcare first aid courses, advance first aid courses, and many more. Our newest first aid training venue is in Cheltenham. Book in today and be prepared for any eventuality.