Workplace safety-manual handling injuries
Summary
- Twenty eight per cent of
injuries to Victorian workers are caused by manual handling.
- Changing workplace design is
an effective way to prevent manual handling injuries.
- There are organisations that
can offer information and advice on modifying the workplace or work
practices.
Key points of this blog
What is manual
handling?
Twenty eight per cent of injuries to Victorian workers are caused by
manual handling.
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities
including: lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, restraining, throwing and
carrying. It includes repetitive tasks such as packing, typing, assembling,
cleaning and sorting, using hand-tools, operating machinery and equipment, and
handling and restraining animals.
Not all manual handling tasks are hazardous, but
because most jobs involve some form of manual handling, most workers are at
some risk of manual handling injury.
Good posture and lifting techniques
can help reduce the risks, but research indicates that making changes to
workplace design is the most effective way to prevent manual handling injury.
Manual handling –
identifying workplace hazards
Some factors in the workplace may
increase the risk of an injury occurring. These hazards can be identified in
different ways:
- Walk through the workplace and look for
potential hazards.
- Talk over risk factors with workers.
- Check through injury records to help pinpoint
recurring problems.
- Regularly monitor and update risk
identification.
A detailed process, including
requirements for identifying hazardous manual handling and implementing risk
controls, is available from WorkSafe Victoria.
Manual handling –
assessing the risks
The next step is to assess which factors are contributing to the risk of
injury.
Typical risk factors that can increase the risk of
injury include:
- type of work – working in a fixed posture for
a prolonged period of time
- layout of the workspace – a cramped or poorly
designed workspace can force people to assume awkward postures, such as
bending or twisting
- weight of an object – a heavy load may be
difficult to lift and carry
- location of an object – heavy objects that
have to be lifted awkwardly, for example above shoulder height or from
below knee level
- duration and frequency – increasing the number
of times an object is handled or the length of time for which it is handled
- condition of an object – more effort may be
required to manipulate badly designed or poorly maintained equipment
- awkward loads – loads that are difficult to
grasp, slippery or an awkward shape
- handling a live person or animal – lifting or
restraining a person or animal can cause sprains and other injuries.
Reducing or
eliminating manual handling risks
After identifying workplace hazards you can do several things to control
the risk of manual handling injuries. These tips can help reduce injury at home
as well as at work.
Safety suggestion include:
- change the task – ask ‘Does this task need
to be carried out? If so, does it have to be done this way?’
- change the object – for example, repack
a heavy load into smaller parcels
- change the workspace – for example, use
ergonomic furniture and make sure work benches are at optimum heights to
limit bending or stretching
- change the environmental conditions – including heat, cold
and vibration
- use mechanical aids – such as
wheelbarrows, conveyor belts, cranes or forklifts
- change the nature of the work – for example, offer
frequent breaks or the chance to do different tasks
- offer proper training – inexperienced
workers are more likely to be injured.
Manual handling –
protecting your back
The back is particularly vulnerable
to manual handling injuries. Safety suggestions include controlling risk
factors in the workplace, in addition to personal controls:
- Lift and carry heavy loads correctly by keeping
the load close to the body and lifting with the thigh muscles.
- Never attempt to lift or carry loads if you
think they are too heavy.
- Pushing a load (using your body weight to
assist) will be less stressful on your body than pulling a load.
- Use mechanical aids or get help to lift or
carry a heavy load whenever possible.
- Organise the work area to reduce the amount of
bending, twisting and stretching required.
- Take frequent breaks.
- Cool down after heavy work with gentle,
sustained stretches.
- Improve your fitness – exercise regularly to
strengthen muscles and ligaments, and reduce excess body fat.
- Warm up cold muscles with gentle stretches
before engaging in any manual work.
Professional advice
about manual handling
Your workplace occupational health and safety coordinator can give you
advice about managing the risks associated with manual handling.
Organisations such as WorkSafe Victoria or unions
can offer information and advice on modifying the workplace or work practices
to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
Where to get help
- Your manager or supervisor
- Your elected Health and Safety Representative
and your workplace occupational health and safety coordinator
- Your doctor
- WorkSafe Victori Tel.
(03) 9641 1444 or 1800 136 089 (toll free) – for general enquiries
- WorkSafe Victoria Emergency Response Line Tel.
13 23 60 – to report serious workplace emergencies, seven
days, 24 hours
Refrence Vedio link -
Good One
ReplyDeleteWell explained. Commendable 🙌
ReplyDeleteVery Helpful Information, Good job 👍
ReplyDeleteHelpful blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat work!
ReplyDeleteInformative blog
ReplyDeleteWell explained
ReplyDeletegreat work
ReplyDeleteAwsome
ReplyDeleteIt will help your business minimize injuries and occupation Iillness or both .. keep consistency
ReplyDeletesure
DeleteVery good blog
ReplyDeleteVery well explained, by following this suggestion will help to reduce ergonomic risk of workers and their fatigue which will ultimately affect your productivity positively .
ReplyDeleteInformative
ReplyDeleteGreat insights
ReplyDelete