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Manual Handling Awareness Training

Last Updated: 2 August 2018

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Outline��

  • What is manual handling?
  • What are the risks of manual handling?
  • What makes manual handling hazardous?
  • How can the risks be managed?
          • S.M.A.R.T lifting
          • Team lifting
          • Pushing and pulling
          • Manual handling of people
          • Safe storage
  • Available supports and resources

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What is Manual Handling? �

Manual handling is any activity requiring the use of force, exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull or carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain an object, person or animal.

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Example Manual Handling Tasks �

  • Carrying large number of books

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  • Lifting and moving sport equipment

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  • Storing and retrieving boxes above or below shoulder height

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  • Moving furniture

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  • Typing at an incorrectly set-up �workstation

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  • Hanging art work/poster

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What are the risks?�

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Manual handling injuries make up� approximately 10% of total injuries� occurring in Department workplaces.

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What are the risks?�

Work related musculoskeletal disorders can occur as a result of:

  • repeated damage or strain
  • a single case of overburdening

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WMSD may include injuries to:

  • Muscles
  • Ligaments
  • Intervertebral disc
  • Nerves
  • Tendons in the wrist, arms, shoulders, neck or legs

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Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Bones and muscle while flexing

Nervous System

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What are the risks?�

The spine in its normal S-curve shape is very flexible, but is easily affected by movements which are: forceful, awkward, asymmetrical and or jerky, especially if the back is bent or twisted while moving.

Carrying a large or heavy load while the back is not in its normal S-curve shape puts much more strain on the discs between the vertebrae.

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Normal Disk

Bulging Disk

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When does it become hazardous?�

Task

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Individual

Load

Environment

Too Strenuous

Awkward Postures

Individual Physical

Capacity

Training/Supervision

Too Heavy

Too Large

Climate (heat / cold, ventilation etc.)

Available Space

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What do you have to do?

  1. IDENTIFY MANUAL HANDLING TASKS
    • Talk to colleagues
    • Conduct a walk through the workplace
  2. ASSESS THE LEVEL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE TASK
    • Document manual handling in the OHS Risk �Register
    • Complete risk assessment where the tasks or level�of risk is uncertain
  3. IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT CONTROLS
    • Talk to colleagues undertaking task
    • Implement risk controls
    • Document risk controls
    • Report all manual handling incidents on�eduSafe

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Example Risk Controls

  1. Don’t undertake the task
  1. Change the environment

Clear the walkway

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Example Risk Controls

3. Change the nature of the work

4. Change the object

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Example Risk Controls

5. Use mechanical aids

6. Administrative aids

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S.M.A.R.T Lifting

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S.M.A.R.T Lifting

Lifting a 4kg load held 6cm in front of the body requires about the same effort as lifting a 12kg load held 20cm in front of the body.

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Team Lifting

Consider:

  • Are there enough people?
  • Are all persons of the same size with similar strength?
  • Are there any known pre-existing injuries?
  • Who is coordinating the lift?
  • Is there a plan, and has been communicated to those involved?

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Pushing and Pulling

Consider:

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  • When pushing, lean forward
  • Stand close to the trolley
  • When pulling, lean backwards (pushing is preferable as it involves less work by the lower back muscles and allows for maximum use of body weight). It allows employees to adopt a forward facing posture, providing clearer vision in the direction of travel
  • Ensuring you have a good grip
  • Avoiding twisting and turning
  • Checking that the handle height is between shoulder and waist height

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Manual Handling of People

No lift policy is best, use equipment and the student’s own ability to avoid unnecessary manual handling. Always follow Behaviour Support Plans for individuals who cannot assist with their own movement.

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Safe Storage

Consider:

  • Storing frequently and heavy items between waist and shoulder height
  • Storing smaller, lightweight or infrequently used items in lower or higher areas
  • Knowing shelving weight limits
  • Having access to a step-ladder
  • Testing the weight of the object before picking it up
  • Conducting quarterly workplace inspections

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Supports

  • Principal / Manager
  • Health and Safety Representative
  • Free OHS Advisory Service ph. 1300 �074 715 or email�safety@edumail.vic.gov.au
  • Regional OHS/Facilities Support Officers
  • Manual Handling OHS documentation
  • Safety Management for School Leaders�Training
  • OHS eLearning Modules – Manual�Handling & Ergonomics

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Questions

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©State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training) 2017

The copyright in this document is owned by the State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training), or in the case of some materials, by third parties (third party materials). No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, the National Education Access Licence for Schools (NEALS) (see below) or with permission.

An educational institution situated in Australia which is not conducted for profit, or a body responsible for administering such an institution may copy and communicate the materials, other than third party materials, for the educational purposes of the institution.

Authorised by the Department of Education and Training,

2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002

Melbourne November 2017

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