Manual Handling
Training
By BMCD Safety Training Ireland
Manual handling training is required in
Introduction
the workplace by law; however, this
training can apply to more than just our
workplaces. Learning the correct lifting
Lower back pain affects techniques and remembering to use
approximately 80% of the them can also have an impact on our
population at some stage in their leisure activities and our everyday lives.
lives.
The Health & Safety Authority state that
Health care costs and the cost of sick approximately one-third of all injuries
leave and early retirement because reported to them arise from manual
of back pain are estimated at €800 handling. It also states that these injuries
million. often lead to chronic illness and
disability.
Introduction
A number of factors contribute to back All incorrect lifting techniques are bad
pain, including poor posture, incorrect habits that we develop in later life, for as
lifting techniques, heavy physical work, very small children we all naturally lift
repetitious lifting work and work that correctly and without risk of injury.
involves frequent bending, twisting,
lifting and pulling. As adults, we now need to learn how to
Manual handling training in the lift correctly in order to preserve our
workplace teaches us the importance of backs and prevent injury.
using the correct techniques as well as
the need to consider relevant factors
such as load weight and load stability
when undertaking simple tasks.
Unit 1
Safety Legislation
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and Part 2,
Chapter 4. Regulations 68, 69 and Schedule 3 of the Safety,
Health and Welfare at Work Act (General Application)
Regulations 2007 [S.I. 299 of 2007] apply to manual handling
in the workplace.
Health and Welfare at Work Act (General Application)
Regulations 2007 [S.I. 299 of 2007]
The regulations require: that manual handling risk assessments be made for job tasks that require manual
handling. The risk assessment will highlight whether or not the manual handling task may be eliminated
completely or its scope reduced.
Tasks that may involve the use of manual handling should be planned and organised to facilitate the use of
mechanical aids or other means to avoid or reduce the use of manual handling. If you see a better way of
conducting a task which avoids or reduces the need for manual handling always consult your supervisor,
safety representative/advisor or your employer. Instruction and training must be provided to all personnel.
According to the regulations the definition of “manual handling of loads” is any transporting or supporting
of a load by one or more employees, including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving of a
load, which, by reason of its characteristics or of unfavourable ergonomic conditions, involves risk,
particularly of back injury, to employees.
© A safe place of work: an employer must ensure that
Employers the workplace and the environment of work are
reasonably safe for the employee (e.g. access and
egress);
Duty of Care © Safe plant and equipment: an employer must
ensure that the plant and equipment provided are
safe and must also ensure that plant and equipment
are maintained (e.g. inspection, tests must be
undertaken as per manufacturer's
recommendations);
© Safe systems of work: an employer must ensure
Under common law the employer has a the system of work (the way in which work is done) is
safe. Therefore work must be planned and organised;
duty of care to employees to provide:
© Safe people: an employer must ensure that all
people/employees are aware of their duties in
relation to the safety, health and welfare of their
colleagues (i.e. employees through their acts or
omissions must not compromise the safety of their
colleagues (e.g. by horseplay)).
Employers
Duty of Care
Often manual handling cannot be avoided: Injuries caused by manual handling account for
therefore employers must look at measures roughly one third of accident reported annually to
to reduce the risk involved in the manual the Health & Safety Authority.
handling of loads. They must consider risk
factors (specified later), vulnerable groups of (www.hse.ie)
employees, and employee capabilities.
If it is possible to do so, employers should
provide precise information about weight of
each load and the centre of gravity of the
heaviest side. Also, employers must provide
and organise workstations that make
handling work as safe and healthy as
possible.
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Employees
Duty of Care
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Procedure
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Homework
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