Manual Handling – an introduction
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Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employee has a responsibility to:
1. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their activities
2. Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters
3. Make proper use of equipment provided for safety.
1. ASSESS
Assess the operation before lifting.
Do you require help?
Are there any handling aids available?
Warm up and prepare to lift.
2. FEET
Adopt a stable position with feet apart and one leg slightly forward to maintain balance.
3. KNEES
When lifting from a low level, bend the knees, then use the thigh muscle to control and power the lift.
4. BACK
Keep the spinal curves in a neutral position, avoiding stooping and twisting.
5. HEAD
When handling, look ahead not down at the load.
6. GRIP
Maintain a sure grip using palms and fingers. Hold load close to reduce lever effect.
All movements should be smooth and controlled. Avoid sharp, jerky actions which may cause injury.