Given that a shop worker using a pair of steps to reach a carton on an upper shelf and a warehouse operative moving pallets in a vast distribution centre are both involved in ‘manual handling’ it is clear that the legislation applies to all sorts of organisations in a wide range of industries.
Whether specifically involved in the materials handling sector or operating in an environment where some degree of manual handling is undertaken, all organisations have to carry out assessments of risks to health and safety in the workplace.
A risk assessment should contribute to protecting your workers and your business and help you to comply with the law. The HSE suggests a ‘five step’ approach:
- Identify hazards
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution
- Record and evaluate findings
- Review and update as necessary
It is important not to overcomplicate the procedure and in many organisations risks are well known and managed. Often, simple and seemingly obvious steps - clearing spillages and keeping floors clear of obstacles for example - are both cheap and effective. Managers of small companies may well be capable of carrying out assessments. Larger organisations may call in a safety advisor or indeed have their own health and safety professional.
The chart below provides a step-by-step method of assessing risks and removing or minimising them by:
- AVOIDING hazards in manual handling
- ASSESSING hazardous operations that cannot be avoided
- REMOVING or REDUCING the risk of injury
- MONITORING procedures to ensure effectiveness
The document Getting to grips with manual handling - A short guide - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf looks at the problems associated with manual handling and provides a useful guide to dealing with them through assessment and the introduction of best practice.
These guidelines for assessing the risk of injury in manual handling set out approximate boundaries within which handling operations are unlikely to create risk of injury. THESE ARE NOT WEIGHT OR FORCE LIMITS and may be exceeded or reduced where a more detailed assessment of a particular task indicates that this is appropriate.
The figures are based on the following:
- The handler is standing or crouching in a stable body position with the back substantially upright
- The trunk is not twisted during the operation
- Both hands are used to grasp the load
- The hands are not more than shoulder width apart
- The load is positioned centrally in front of the body and is itself reasonably symmetrical
- The load is stable and readily grasped
- The work area, environment (heat, cold, wet, floor condition) nor any protective clothing restricts the handler’s posture
Where practical conditions prevent these conditions being met in full, the guidelines may need to be reduced. The guidelines can be applied to repetitive handling provided the pace of work is not forced and adequate pauses for rest are possible.
If an operation is repetitive and lies close to a guideline boundary, more detailed assessment may be necessary especially if the interval between operations is less than about one minute, or the operations continue for more than about an hour.
Lifting and Lowering
The guidelines for lifting and lowering take into consideration not only the weight of the load but also its vertical and horizontal position during the handling operation.
If the hands enter more than one box during the operation, the smallest weight figure should be used. An intermediate figure may be chosen where the hands are close to the boundary.
Carrying
It is assumed that the load is held against the body and is carried no further than about 10m without resting. Over longer distances the guidelines may need to be reduced.
Where the load can be carried securely on the shoulder, a more detailed assessment may show that it is safe to exceed the guideline figure.
Pushing and Pulling
These guidelines apply whether the load is slid, rolled or supported on wheels. The figure for starting or stopping the load is a force of about 250 Newtons (25kg). The guideline figure for keeping the load in motion is a force of about 100 Newtons. It is assumed that the force is applied with the hands between knuckle and shoulder height - if not, the guideline figures may need to be reduced.
Handling While Seated
If handling beyond the indicated box zone is unavoidable, a more detailed assessment should be made.
It is easy to avoid back strain if you follow a few sensible rules AND if you get the right equipment for the task :
Watch Out! Common tasks leading to musculoskeletal disabilities are:
- Heavy manual labour and handling tasks in heavy industry
- Manual handling in awkward places
- Repetitive tasks such as fabrication and packing of goods
- Sitting at workstations for extended periods
- Driving long distances
Don’t Do It! Physical activities can cause or aggravate back pain, including:
- Stooping, bending over or crouching
- Lifting objects which are too heavy or bulky
- Carrying loads awkwardly
- Pushing, pulling, dragging excessive loads
- Using poor lifting techniques
- Stretching, twisting or reaching
- Working for long periods in one position
- Suffering vibration, jolting or jarring
- Carrying loads above shoulder height
- Working in cramped conditions
- Working in a cluttered environment
Assess and Avoid! The above hazards can frequently be avoided or minimised:
- Undertake a Risk Assessment to determine the chance of harm
- Take precautions to minimise or eliminate the risk
- Engineer out problems by designing work patterns which take account of the risks
- Provide equipment which mechanises the operation
- Monitor the situation to ensure the adaptations are working
- Modify as necessary to meet changing safety circumstances
- Employ work patterns which provide holiday and sickness cover to avoid over-stressing stand-in staff
- Avoid the need for staff to handle loads which obstruct vision
Mind your backs!
http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain/wkp.htm
In many workplaces the degree of manual handling undertaken can be cut and simplified - and any risks further reduced - by following established and easily available guidelines.
The use of manually operated or powered mechanical equipment as an aid to handling can both reduce operations carried out ‘by hand’ as well as permitting a wide range of handling operations involving larger, heavier and more awkward loads and higher volume operations. This section looks at this equipment.
The use of manual and mechanical equipment is not in itself a solution to handling problems. Suitability for purpose, ease of use, cost, ability to meet operational frequencies and a wide variety of other factors ensure that no single unit will meet all requirements.
Please use the equipment currently featured on this page – thank you.
Hand pallet trucks
First level of mechanised handling for the transfer of palletised loads. Capacities 2000 to 3000kg.
Powered pallet trucks
Extensive range of powered units for high volume internal and external use. Capacities 1400 to 6000kg
WP work positioners
Straightforward, ergonomic lifter. Adjustable working height. Hand-hydraulic or battery lift. Capacities 800 and 1000kg. Lift ht 800mm.
Mobile scissor lift tables
Light and manoeuvrable work positioners with adjustable working height. Powered or hand-hydraulic lift. Capacities to 1250kg.
High lift pallet trucks
Combined pallet mover and work positioner. Handhydraulic or battery lift. Capacity 1000kg. Lift height 800mm.
Microlifters
Designed for use in high hygiene areas. Manual or battery lift. Epoxy finish for easy cleaning. Capacities 80 and 100kg
Manual stackers
Elementary hand pushed hand-hydraulic lift stacker. Capacities 600 to 1200kg. Lift heights 1600 to 2500mm.
Battery lift stackers
Lightweight, hand pushed, powered lift stacker. Ideal for vehicle loading and pallet stacking. Capacities to 1200kg. Lift to 3500mm.
Powered stackers
Highly popular range of stackers with powered lift and drive for effortless handling. Capacities to 1200 kg. Lift to 3000mm.
Heavy duty stackers
Highly versatile series of powered stackers with conventional or straddle forks. Capacities to 3000kg. Lift heights 1600 to 5800mm.
Counterbalanced stackers
Compact and ultra-compact stackers which do the work of traditional forklifts at a fraction of the cost. Capacities to 1500kg.
Forklift trucks
Materials handling workhorse, available with battery-electric, lpg gas and diesel power units. Wide range of specifications.
Purpose designed units
Handling equipment designed and manufactured for individual applications but based on a core of proven components.