Manual Handling

Did you know…

In the UK, approximately 4.9 million working days are lost in the workplace every year.

• About 60% of adults suffer back problems annually (approximately 30% of these adults become chronic sufferers).
• 5 million adults consult their GP annually about back pain.
• Back pain costs the NHS approximately £500 million per year.

Manual handling is defined as 'the supporting or transporting of a load' (including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof). You have the responsibility to carry out tasks safely and use any equipment or system of work that helps to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling.

Manual Handling at Home

Many people associate manual handling activities only within the workplace, but manual handling takes place in the home like gardening, DIY, washing/ironing, shopping for groceries, and carrying small children.

Information on Safe Lifting and Handling

Before you lift anything…

• Check the item before you move it. Forgetting to do this can be a major cause of injury. Try tilting the load, or moving the load from side to side. If you can't do this, this can be an indication that you are not able to lift it.
• Get as close to the load as possible before you try to lift it, and when moving the item, keep it close to you (this reduces the strain on the spine).
• Think about your posture. Try to use your thigh and leg muscles as you lift. Try to ensure that the spine maintains its natural position, and you are not stooping or placing excessive strain on the back.
• Move your feet. Many people when moving items bend and twist from the waist only, without moving the feet. Example of these are removing items from a car boot, or manoeuvring a super¬market trolley. By moving your feet, you eliminate the need to bend and twist awkwardly. This greatly reduces the strain on your body.
• Ask for help. If you feel you are unable to move an item, ask for assistance from someone who knows safe lifting techniques.
• Use equipment designed to assist you to move and carry items to various locations. Obvious examples include trolleys and barrows.
• Spread the load. Try dividing a load into smaller amounts, and reduce the weight of a load. It may mean making more than one journey, but it will reduce the risk of injury. You don't have to carry everything at once. When out shopping, spread the weight of the items between two or more bags, and carry an even amount of carrier bags with each hand

Useful websites for further information

www.backcare.org.uk
www.workingbacksscotland.com
www.hse.gov.uk
www.nhs.uk/backinwork