Manual Handling

in the
Workplace

OHS111 – WEEK 3 Part 2

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
1. define manual handling in the workplace;
2. explain the effect of manual handling or lifting on one’s spinal
column,
3. discuss the concept and effects when wrong method of manual
handling or lifting is used;
4. describe the correct manual handling or lifting techniques both
when doing it alone or for a two-person lift; and
5. demonstrate correct manual handling or lifting techniques
individually and as a two-person lift.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

1.4. Manual Handling in the Workplace
In observing personal requirements in the
workplace many people forget the process
to be followed when manually handling
goods, tools and materials.
In some countries, there are regulations
and a codes of practice for the way you
carry out the handling to ensure safety.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

 Manual handling is more than just lifting; it covers:

o Pushing
o Carrying
o Holding
o Lifting
o Pulling

Therefore, manual handling can be defined as:

Any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person

to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move or restrain any
animate or inanimate object.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

1.4.1. What Happens to Your Body in a Manual Handling Situation?

In a lifting situation the major impact to the

body is the area of the back, which is
essentially the spinal column.

View the back not as a compilation of vertebrae

and discs, but as a stack of building blocks
separated by pads. These pads act like shock
absorbers to keep the spine mobile.

So when lifting, if the spinal column is balanced

through the vertebrae and discs, then the overall
pressure is spread equally throughout the areas
of the discs.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

1.4.2. Incorrect Lifting Techniques
If you bend from a waist position you cause
compression of the disc on the front side of the
spinal column, as illustrated.

Continuing the bend like this will cause damage

to the spine and back. A large percentage of all
industrial injuries occur during the handling of
goods and materials, with injuries to the back
region caused by lifting.

They result in:

o pain
o loss of income
o loss of job security
o loss of production

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

Wrong Way VS Right Way

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

1.4.3. Correct Methods for Lifting
1. Size up the load
2. Step closer to the load with legs slightly apart.
3. Adapt a balanced squatting position.
4. Straighten the back, tense the back muscles.
5. Lift by straightening the legs.
6. Raise the body.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

1.4.4. Two-person Lifting Techniques
https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Lifting/two-person-lifting-tips.html

Occasionally we can’t or shouldn’t lift something by ourselves. Items that

are heavy, large, awkward in shape or awkward in weight need two or
more people to lift.
However, if you don’t do that in an organized fashion, a helping hand
could become a hurting hand.

Have you ever helped move a something up or down the stairs and after
it’s done it seems like it would have been easier to do it yourself.

With two or more people lifting, communication is the key to doing it

safely. All those involved have to be on the same page or else someone
may do something to cause an injury to another. Here are some tips.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

For a safe, correct, two-person lift:
• Work with a person about your height.
• Decide in advance which person will direct the
move.
• Keeping knees bent and back straight, lift and
raise the load together.
• Move smoothly together as you carry, keeping
the load at the same level.
• Unload at the same time, keeping knees bent.
• If moving something up or down stairs, the taller
person should be at the lower level.

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE
Individual Activity:
Demonstrate the proper and safe way of lifting heavy objects.

A. Individual Lifting Technique

B. Two-person Lifting Technique

MANUAL HANDLING IN THE WORKPLACE

Thank You…
MANUAL HANDLING
IN THE
WORKPLACE