The Christmas rush is upon us. However, safety and health should remain paramount as your employees execute their duties. What should employers do?
To help prevent manual handling injuries in the workplace, such tasks should be avoided as far as possible.
However, where it is not possible to avoid handling a load, employers must look at the risks of that task and put sensible health and safety measures in place to prevent and avoid injury.
For any lifting activity always take into account: Individual capability, the nature of the load, environmental conditions, training, and work organisation.
If something must be lifted manually
Reduce the amount of twisting, stooping and reaching; avoid lifting from floor level or above shoulder height, especially heavy loads; adjust storage areas to minimise the need to carry out such movements; consider how to minimise the carrying distances; assess the weight to be carried and whether the worker can move the load safely or needs any help – maybe the load can be broken down to smaller, lighter components.
If lifting equipment must be utilised
Consider whether a lifting aid can be used, such as a forklift truck, electric or hand-powered hoist, or a conveyor; think about storage as part of the delivery process – maybe heavy items could be delivered directly, or closer, to the storage area; and reduce carrying distances where possible.
Good handling technique for lifting
There are some simple things to do before and during the lift/carry: remove obstructions from the route. Keep the load close to the waist. The load should be kept close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.
Think before lifting/handling
Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
Adopt a stable position
The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain your stability. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult.
Get a good hold
Where possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body. This may be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.
Start in a good posture
At the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting).
Don’t flex the back any further while lifting.
This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.
Keep the load close to the waist
Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.
Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back is bent.
Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
Keep the head up when handling
Look ahead, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.
Move smoothly.
The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.
Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed
There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.
Put down, then adjust.
If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
