Occupational Hazard Information Sheet:
Manual Handling
This information sheet has been developed using a variety of up to date source
information by the Occupational Health & Safety Unit to assist
you to gain a basic understanding of hazards related to manual handling.
Introduction
Manual Handling means an activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person
to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold, restrain a person,
animal or thing.
Guidelines On Manual Handling.
Under the Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act, 1986 there are regulations
that are specific, mandatory and can be used to support prosecution. There
is an Approved Code of Practice that provides practical methods of achieving a
particular standard of health and safety, these have been published as a
guide. The risk identification, assessment and control process for manual
handling is explained in some detail in this code.
What are the risks?
A manual handling injury can occur from a single high energy event or it can be
the result of a series of low energy events (cumulative).
Some problems that can occur are:
- repetitive movements can lead to occupational overuse syndrome
- cartilage can wear and chip
- ligaments can tear or over-stretch
- vertebral discs can tear or become damaged.
How can the risks be controlled?
Whilst the capabilities of each individual need to be considered at the time of
attempting a manual handling task, the University of Adelaide adopts the recommendations
of the Code of Practice (for both males and females):
- seated work – not more than 4.5 kg
- standing – 16-20 kg or less
- up to 55 kg – mechanical assistance and/or team lifting should be provided
- more than 55 kg – mechanical assistance and/or team lifting is mandatory.
Weight is only one of the factors you need to consider. Some of the
other things are size and shape of the object, the distance it has to be carried,
how often it has to be moved, if it is a repetitive task, the actions and movements
required and whether bending or twisting is required. Each work activity involving
manual handling needs to be properly assessed and control measures put in
place to reduce risks. A decision to lift an object should be based on what
is reasonable when all risk factors have been taken into account.
If you have identified a work activity that is likely to cause injury you should
inform your supervisor. Your supervisor should then ensure that the work activity
is properly assessed. If the assessment finds there is a risk of injury
then your supervisor should find ways of changing the way the work is done
to minimise the risk of injury. Often a combination of changing the characteristics
of the object being moved, the design of the workplace or the way the work is
organised will reduce the risks associated with manual handling.
What to avoid
- Extreme range of movements
- Twisting while lifting
- Bending the spine
- Jerky, uncontrolled movements
- Jumping from heights.
Further Information
For further information regarding the control of this and other hazards
that may be associated with your work, you should speak with your immediate
supervisor, who will ensure that you fully understand any University-wide
and/or departmental/area specific procedures that are in place to protect your
health and safety.
You may also wish to refer to:
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