MANUAL HANDLING &
SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES
Reducing Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Through Correct Lifting Practice
Presented by HSEDocuments.com | Aligned with ISO 45001:2018 & OSHA 29 CFR 1910
Rev. 01 | 2026
Agenda
1
Introduction & Background
2
Session Objectives
3
Legal & Standard Requirements
4
Hazards & Risks of Manual Handling
5
Hierarchy of Controls
6
Safe Lifting Technique
7
PPE, Equipment & Responsibilities
8
Documentation, Emergency Response & Audit
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1
Introduction & Background
Definition
Manual handling is any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
Why It Matters
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) rank among the leading causes of occupational injury and lost work time globally (ILO / OSHA data). Manual handling tasks commonly affect the back, shoulders, and knees.
Scope of This Session
Covers lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tasks across construction, MEP, facility management, warehousing, and general industrial sites.
MSDs
are one of the most commonly reported categories of work-related ill health worldwide
Back, shoulder, and knee injuries are the most frequently affected areas in manual handling incidents.
Figures are general / industry-typical indicators, not site-specific statistics.
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2
Session Objectives
IDENTIFY
manual handling hazards and risk factors on site
EXPLAIN
the hierarchy of controls for manual handling tasks
DEMONSTRATE
the correct safe lifting technique
APPLY
mechanical aids to reduce manual effort
COMPLY
with site manual handling risk assessment procedures
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3
Legal & Regulatory Requirements
Standard / Regulation | Requirement Summary |
ISO 45001:2018 | Clause 8.1 - Operational planning and control of ergonomic risk |
ISO 11228 (Parts 1-3) | Ergonomics - manual handling of loads (lifting, pushing/pulling, low loads) |
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 | General industry ergonomics and safe work practice guidance |
Local / Regional Regulation | Manual handling requirements apply per applicable jurisdiction |
Company HSE Policy | [Insert Company Policy Reference Placeholder] |
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4
Hazards & Risks Associated
Physical
Ergonomic
Environmental
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Musculoskeletal disorders, acute back injury, lost-time injury, reduced productivity, and long-term worker disability.
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5
Hierarchy of Controls
Elimination
Avoid the manual handling task entirely by redesigning the process or work method
Substitution
Replace manual effort with mechanical means wherever feasible
Engineering
Use hoists, trolleys, conveyors, and other lifting aids
Administrative
Job rotation, team lifting, training, and risk assessment
PPE
Gloves, safety footwear, back support where risk-assessed
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6
Safe Lifting Technique - Step by Step
1. Assess
Check the load’s weight, shape, and size before lifting
2. Plan Route
Clear the path and identify obstacles in advance
3. Position
Feet shoulder-width apart, close to the load
4. Grip
Bend knees, keep back straight, grip load firmly
5. Lift
Lift smoothly using leg muscles, not the back
6. Carry
Keep load close to the body; avoid twisting
7. Set Down
Lower the load with a controlled bend of the knees
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7
PPE, Equipment & Responsibilities
Required PPE & Mechanical Aids
Cut/Impact-Resistant Gloves
Steel-Toe Safety Boots
Back-Support Belt (where risk-assessed)
Mechanical Trolley / Dolly
Roles & Responsibilities (RACI)
Activity | Management | HSE Team | Supervisor | Worker |
Risk Assessment | A | R | C | I |
Training Delivery | I | R | C | I |
PPE Provision | A | C | R | I |
Task Execution | I | C | A | R |
R = Responsible A = Accountable C = Consulted I = Informed
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8
Documentation & Permit Requirements
All templates and forms referenced above are available free at HSEDocuments.com
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Emergency Response & Incident Procedure
Immediate Actions
Reporting Flow
Worker
Supervisor
HSE Team
Management
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10
Common Non-Conformances / Case Study
Generic Lessons-Learned Scenario
A worker lifted a heavy load alone without a prior task assessment, resulting in a lower-back strain and a lost-time injury. A mechanical trolley was available nearby but was not used.
Root Causes Identified
Lesson: Reinforce use of assessments and mechanical aids through refresher training and active point-of-task supervision.
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Inspection, Monitoring & Audit Checkpoints
1
% of manual handling risk assessments completed vs. required
2
Number of manual handling-related lost-time injuries
3
Toolbox talk attendance compliance rate
4
Mechanical aid inspection compliance rate
5
Near-miss reporting trend for manual handling tasks
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12
Do's and Don'ts
DO'S
DON’TS
Assess the load before lifting
Use mechanical aids when available
Keep the load close to the body
Bend the knees, not the back
Ask for a team lift on heavy/awkward loads
Report discomfort immediately
Don’t twist while lifting
Don’t lift beyond your capacity
Don’t lift with straight legs and a bent back
Don’t let the load obstruct your view
Don’t rush the lift
Don’t ignore signs of fatigue or pain
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Key Takeaways
Stay Safe. Stay Compliant.
Visit HSEDocuments.com for free, editable HSE/QHSE/QA-QC forms, templates & resources — worldwide.
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