HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MANUAL HANDLING

Controlling Manual Handling Risks:

1. Once you have identified the hazards, you must determine how best to control them, to control or minimize the manual handling of ill-health issues, follow some below steps:
2. Assess the situation before you lift anything
3. Make sure you wear non-slip shoes.  Steel toe cap shoes are good to have too!
4. The next step is to bend your knees and keep your back up straight.
5. Make sure that you have a good grip on the item that you are lifting. 
6. Manual handling gloves can help get a better grip.
7. Lift slowly and smoothly. A smooth lift means that you will avoid twisting your body
8. Point your feet in the direction that you want to go, and push rather than pull if possible.
9. If, possible, avoid manual handling tasks. If it is not, then use a mechanical aid to help you lift and move the required load.
10. Ensure that they (mechanical aid) have been well maintained and kept in good, safe working, and stable condition
11. Ensure that the changes to the working area reduce the distance traveled with the load.
12. Avoid or minimize the possibilities of twisting or bending
13. Reduce the need for lifting from floor level or above shoulder height. Remember that is better to push rather than pull the load
14. Assess the workplace to ensure that there are no obstructions (including doors), the flooring is adequate and there is enough lighting to carry out the task safely
15. Provide frequent breaks to ensure that muscles can rest.
16. Ask suppliers to reduce the size or weight of loads or to add handles to make it easier to grasp and make sure the load is stable
17. Think about the individual, especially those who might be vulnerable to injuries, such as pregnant workers, young people, or those with a pre-existing health condition when teamwork is required.

HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDLINES FOR MANUAL HANDLING 

DOWNLOAD THE FILE HERE

HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MANUAL HANDLING