Manual Handling

One third of all injuries at work are the direct result of poor manual handling techniques. Avoid manual handling where practical and use mechanical equipment for heavier loads.

Before attempting to lift anything, you must assess:

¡ How heavy the load is and its dimensions? ¡ Is it out of balance? ¡ Are there any sharp corners? ¡ Are there any nails or splinters sticking out? ¡ Will the ground and weather conditions effect the

operation?

¡ What is the distance to cover? ¡ Are there any obstacles or hazards? ¡ Are you wearing the correct PPE? If you don’t think you can manage the lift alone, don’t try. Speak to your supervisor and get help.

Use the correct lifting technique to reduce effort and risk of injury by ALWAYS:

¡ Planning the lift. ¡ Using protective gloves and boots. ¡ Positioning the feet slightly apart. ¡ Bend your knees. ¡ Adopting a good posture with a straight back. ¡ Take a good firm grip. ¡ Keep close to the load. ¡ Keep your head up when lifting. ¡ Moving the feet. ¡ Putting down the load and then adjusting.