What is the maximum weight that can be lifted? Where possible manual lifting should be avoided and mechanical lifting devices such as sack trucks or trollies should be used whenever possible. There is no legal maximum weight that a person can safely lift. Lifting any weight can cause injury and much depends on the object being lifted, the environment, the shape of the object, the physical characteristics of the lifter and well as the distance of the object from the spine. An employer should provide employees with training in lifting objects. It is best not to lift objects where possible however where necessary lifting aids should be utilised. For males in good physical condition the Approved Code of Practice on manual handling recommends a maximum weight limit of 25 kg, under optimum conditions that is, lifting up and setting down at waist level, with the object being easy to grasp with good hand holds with its centre of gravity close to the spine.
If lifting and setting down objects at ankle level the weight limit reduces to about 5 kg. It is important to remember however that this is only guidance. An employer must have risk assessments on manual handling as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and have developed a safe system of work for lifting as required by the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. An employee should be able to ask for the findings of a risk assessment.
The risk assessment will define the control measures necessary to protect health and safety. Should an employer only consider lifting and lowering? No, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations also apply to objects being pushed and pulled across a floor. Is my employer required to provide training for manual handling? Yes, your employer is required to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury to those employees undertaking manual handling operations. Also, an employer is required to provide information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to protect a person’s health and safety arising from manual handling tasks. Controls The Manual Handling Regulations establishes a clear hierarchy of control measures, the risk assessments must show that these measures have been considered.
The hierarchy of control measures are as follows:. avoid hazardous manual handling operations by addressing the following questions:. can the movement of loads be eliminated for example can the task be re-designed to avoid moving loads or could delivery be arranged to the point of use?. can the operations be automated?. can mechanical devices be used for example trucks, barrows, rollers, handling aids, forklift trucks, sack trucks?. make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the risk of injury of any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
reduce the risk of injury for operations so far as is reasonably practicable; this can be done by improvements to the task and load (for example reduce the load size and/or distance travelled; consider a team load). Is there a guide to help employers with manual handling assessments? The manual handling assessment charts (the MAC tool) was developed to help the user identify high risk workplace manual handling activities and can be used to assess the risks posed by lifting, carrying and team manual handling activities. It is designed to help employers understand, interpret and categorise the level of risk of the various known risk factors associated with manual handling activities. It incorporates a numerical and a colour-coding score system to highlight hiugh risk manual handling tasks.
The MAC tool is available from the following link:. Does a two person lift mean twice as much can be lifted? Handling by two or more people may make possible an operation that is beyond the capability of one person or reduce the risk of injury to a single handler. During a lifting operation the proportion of the load that is borne by each member of the team will inevitably vary to some extent. Such variation is likely to be more pronounced on sloping or uneven ground. Therefore, the load that a team can handle safely is less than the sum of the loads that the individual team members could cope with when working alone.
As an approximate guide the capability of a two person team is two-thirds the sum of their individual capabilities and for a three person team the capability is half the sum of their individual capabilities. Teams of more than four are unlikely to work successfully. What is the correct lifting technique? There is no single correct way to lift.
The technique for lifting will depend on many things such as the weight and size of the object. For example, it would be easier to pick up something that is boxed and has handholds than something awkwardly shaped or where the weight is unevenly distributed. The content of any training in good handling technique should be tailored to the particular situation or individual circumstances under which the manual handling takes place. HSE has published guidance which contains illustrations of good handling practice (please see resources). Resources. Key legislation.
Please note that these links are to the original legislation, visitors should verify for themselves whether legislation is in force or whether it has been amended or repealed by subsequent legislation.
Importance of Manual Handling Training Manual handling training continues to be one of the most overlooked aspects of health and safety training in many companies across the UK today, the fact is quite a large number of recorded workplace accidents are due to workers getting injured while lifting or carrying heavy objects, accidents which could have been avoided if basic manual handling training had been followed. For many of us lifting, carrying and moving heavy objects is a daily routine which we don’t pay much attention to until it’s too late, the problem with manual handling is that the side effects of performing incorrect manual handling techniques can often go undetected for months or even years until your body can’t take it anymore. Manual handling involves more than just lifting boxes and objects in the workplace, most people don’t realize that a lot of chores and work we do at home can be classified as manual handling and the risks and side effects are exactly the same in every way. This is why it’s so important for everyone to have some type of manual handling training even if it’s just basic training. General Lifting Guidelines When an employee is required to lift in the workplace it is the responsibility of their employer to first risk assess each lifting situation to ensure worker safety.
Safe lifting limits will vary with each task depending on the weight of the object to be lifted, the gender and weight of the employee and the distance or height to which the lift will take place. Guidelines state that in ideal lifting conditions the maximum weight a male can safely lift is 25kg while a female can lift up to 16kg. These maximum weights are reduced if the object is to be lifted above shoulder height, in this situation a male should lift no more than 10kg and a female should lift no more than 7kg. Lifting an object away from the body, at arm’s length for example, places more strain on the back and the joints therefore the maximum weight is further reduced to 5kg for males and 3kg for females. Lifting abilities will vary between individual employees and each person should be aware of his or her own capabilities.
In the same way, an employer should individually assess the lifting ability of each worker and avoid making generalised assumptions on employee competence. Lifting and shifting: Manual handling procedure. On a construction site, it’s essentially an unavoidable fact that something heavy will need to be moved, often repeatedly. However, the common nature of manual handling tasks on a site belies the inherent risk involved: heavy objects exert a great deal of force when dropped, and require a great deal of force in order to move them. These forces can cause significant (and sometimes permanent) injury if proper technique isn’t used.
Think and plan When attempting to move a heavy load, it’s important to first take a step back and consider the task ahead of you. Does the object have sharp edges or awkward handholds? What’s the best grip or position to use in order to avoid slipping? Where are you moving the load to?
Examine the object and area for hazards like wraps or trip hazards, and consider assigning an area partway as a resting point if the move crosses a large distance. Get the start right Make sure that you’re wearing stable footwear and your legs are shoulder-width to ensure firm footing. If possible, hug the load to your body tightly, or establish stable handholds. Setting up a strong, stable starting position will help you to gain control over the load and prevent problems further down the line. Watch your back The most common type of injury sustained via manual handling is damage to the back and/or spine. Whilst the spine is remarkably strong, it is constantly undergoing shifting loads, and any damage may take a long time to heal, if it ever does. Back injuries can put you out of work for months, years or permanently if you’re not careful.
Try to lift the load with your arms and legs as much as possible, and avoid flexing your back or pulling from the back as much as possible. Keeping the load tight to your waist keeps it around your centre of gravity and below your spine, preventing excess load. Avoid twisting your back; uncontrolled twisting can permanently damage the spine. Maintain control Sudden movements during manual handling commonly result in injury. Keep your head up and facing in the direction you are travelling, so as to avoid tripping or miss-stepping.
Move smoothly, trying to avoid jerking or stilted movement. Smooth movement keeps the load on your bones and muscles consistent, rather than causing sudden forces which could cause injury. Put the object down before adjusting you grip and don’t carry more than you have to. Before attempting to lift a load there are a number of factors you should consider, some of these include: 1. How heavy is the load? Can you manage the load on your own?
Can the object be moved mechanically instead? Does the object have handles? Will your path be visible while you carry the object?
Is the path you’re about to travel clear and hazard free? Will you need to stop and rest? Do you need to travel up or down stairs? Does the object need to be placed above head height?
CSCS Practice Exam for Manual Handling These CSCS practice exam questions are based on manual handling. Manual handling poses one of the biggest problem within the construction industry because almost every single task requires some form of manual handling. Manual handling has proven time and time again to be one of the main contributors to workplace accidents and because a lot of the side effects associated with improper manual handling techniques can go undetected for years, quite a lot of people don’t realize how much they’ve hurt themselves until it’s too late. For this we’ll be focusing on manual handling and we’ll be looking at some basic questions relating to manual handling techniques and the side effects of manual handling. There are 10 questions and each question has only one correct answer. Wearing a back support means: A. You can lift a heavier load B.
You will not be injured by lifting heavy loads C. You are just as likely to have an injury D. You can use improper lifting techniques Answer: C – You are just as likely to have an injury 2. Lifting heavy loads usually causes injury to? Your fingers B.
Manual Handling Test Questions And Answers
Your legs Answer: B – Your back 3. Who decides the maximum weight you can carry? Your supervisor B. The manager C.
Your colleagues D. You Answer: D – You 4. How should your body be positioned when lifting a load? Back bent and knees straight B. Back bent and feet wide as possible C.
Back straight and feet close together D. Back straight and knees bent Answer: D – Back straight and knees bent 5. If a load is too heavy to carry what should you do? Use a trolley B. Roll it along the ground C.
Leave it for someone else to move D. Drag it along the ground Answer: A – Use a trolley 6. If you have suffered from back injuries in the past and your new job requires manual handling what should you do? Carry on and if you get injured again tell your supervisor B.
Pretend there’s no problem because you need this job C. Always ask a colleague for help with all loads D. Inform your supervisor of your previous injury before starting Answer: D – Inform your supervisor of your previous injury before starting 7. What should you consider before lifting a load? The path you have to travel B. The weight of the load C. Can the task be done mechanically D.
All of the above Answer: D – All of the above 8. If you can think of a safer way of carrying a load what should yo do?
Do it your own way and forget any other technique B. Bring the idea to your supervisor’s attention C. Ignore what you thing and do it how you were taught D. Let your colleagues decide which is better Answer: B – Bring the idea to your supervisor’s attention 9.
If possible heavy loads should always be: A. Carried on your shoulder B. Divided into lighter loads C. Dragged along the ground D. Left until you can get help Answer: B – Divided into lighter loads 10.
Is using a trolley considered manual handling? Yes, only long distances D. Yes, only if the load is extremely heavy Answer: A – Yes.
Do you take good care of your body? You better do, after all, it's the only one you get.
If you're someone who's constantly involved with manual labor, then these quizzes could surely give you a helping hand. Find out if you're doing things right when you take on our quizzes. Are you aware of the ergonomic ways of lifting and lowering things? How about when you're climbing and carrying load at the same time?
Manual Handling Questions Test
Is it better to push or to pull? Are you doing the proper technique? You'll probably be surprised when you find out some of the answers! Do you think you can handle these quizzes? Get ready for a load of questions and see if you can pull through with our quizzes on 'Manual Handling'.