1. Manual Handling Training
SAFELAB COURSE

2. Introduction
1. Legislation
2. Anatomy
3. Ergonomics
4. Principles of lifting

3. Objectives
• At the end of this session you will be able
to:
1. Basic understanding of your back
2. Understand principles of safe manual handling
3. Know when to stop!

4. Did You Know ?
80%
of people
in the western world
are affected with back pain

5. Manual Handling - Definition
Any transporting or supporting of a load by one or
more employees and which may include;
– LIFTING
– PUTTING DOWN
– PUSHING
– PULLING
– CARRYING OR MOVING A LOAD
which by reason of it’s characteristics or unfavorable
ergonomic conditions involves risk, particularly of back
injury to employees

6. 1. LEGISLATION
Safety, Health and Welfare
at Work Act 1989
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
(General Application 1993) Regs.

7. 2. Anatomy
Why Is It important?
• The Musculo-skeletal System of the body is
designed for movement
• In order to lift and handle an object safely it
is essential to have a knowledge of this
system and its flexibility

8. Spinal Column
7
Cervical
12
Thoracic
5
Lumbar
5 Sacrum
(fused)
Neck
Ribcage
Lower
back
4 coccyx (fused)

9. Lumbar Spine
• 5 vertebrae
• Facet joints
• Discs

10. Facet Joints
• Only in Lumbar
Spine
• Gliding movement

11. Spinal cord
• Down through the
centre of the spine we
have our spinal cord
• This brings messages
to the brain from the
rest of the body and
from the brain to the
rest of the body
• Nerves from the spinal
cord control the
movement of the trunk,
arms and legs

12. Muscles
• The spine is
strengthened and made
moveable by muscles.
• This makes your back
flexible as opposed to
a fixed bamboo like
situation
• Posture muscles are
not designed for lifting

13. Spinal Ligaments
• Ligaments: soft
tissue in joint
capsule. Limit
mobility.
• Long Ligaments
• Limit movement of
spine

14. Types of Back Pain
• There are over 100 accepted causes of low – back
pain (small of the back)
– Wear and tear being the most common
• Three types of mechanical back injury which may be
caused by poor manual handling practice
– DISC INJURY
– SOFT TISSUE INJURY
– BONY INJURY

15. Disc Degeneration - Gradual
• Nutrition cannot get to
disc
• Disc dries out
• Lack of nutrition leads
to disc degeneration
• EXPERIENCE A
HIGH LEVEL OF
PAIN DUE TO
PRESSURE ON
NERVE ENDINGS

16. Disc Pressure
• When pressure is
applied on the spinal
nerves pain can be felt
in several areas
• Sciatica is caused by
disc pressure on the
sciatic nerve
Pain Distribution

17. Wear and Tear
• Wear and tear effects
can be noticed from as
early as 25 years of
age – earlier if there
has been an injury
• Heavy physical work
over a long period
causes wear & tear
• Remember we should
only lift what we are
physicaly able to lift at
the time of the lift
• Muscles are strained by
over loading or a sudden
stretch or unexpected
movement
• The more we overdo- the
less we can do

18. Ergonomic Assessment
– Information required to carry out an
ergonomic assessment:
• THE TASKS
• THE LOADS
• THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
• INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY

19. 5. Principles of Lifting
1. Assess Task, Area, Load
2. Broad Stable Base (Feet Flat on Floor)
3. Bend the Knees
4. Back Straight (Not necessarily vertical)
5. Firm Grip (Palmer)
6. Arms in Line with Trunk
7. Weight Close to Centre of Gravity
8. Point feet in the Direction of Movement

20. Principles of Lifting
• Divide the load
• Balance the body
• Example - Two smaller
loads - as opposed to one
large one

21. Pushing and Pulling
• Keep your back straight
• Bend at the hips and knees
• Let your legs do the work
• Pushing is better than
pulling
• Pushing is easier as you
can see over the load
• If you can’t see over the
load GET HELP

22. 6. Practical application
• To and from the floor
• To and from a bench
• To and from a height
• Pushing
• Pulling
• 2 persons lift

23. Summary
• There is legislation to help and protect you
• Being aware of your body and how it
works will prepare you
• Being flexible and fit will benefit you
• Handling loads correctly is the only way

24. Health & Safety Office
Thank you for your time
&
Remember…….
……nobody is immune to natural wear and tear
……use it or lose it!