Manual handling is the term used to describe the movement of typically heavy objects with the body. Defined more specifically, it can be considered to be “the process of lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or moving objects by hand or bodily force”.
The term is usually applied when moving bulky or heavy “loads” in professional spaces. A load can be anything from goods or a box to people or animals.
It is most prevalent in industries such as logistics, warehousing and manufacturing where goods are moved between production areas, storage facilities and transportation vehicles such as HGVs – however it can be applied across a whole range of situations and businesses. Manual handling principles dictate safety procedures and efficient goods movement, with organisations like ROSPA working to reduce the prevalence of manual handling accidents.
Defining Manual Handling
Manual handling tasks constitute anything where the body or bodily force is being used to move items around and therefore there’s a risk of harm or injury to the handler. While it is usually associated with moving heavy objects around, manual handling also applies to repetitive motions, awkward postures, or movement that could have safety or health implications.
For example, carrying or pushing a pallet of goods constitutes manual handling, but so does bending down to pick up a box, pushing a trolley or roll cage, or the use of manual handling machines.
Why is Manual Handling Important?
Applying manual handling principles and procedures is critical for creating a safe and efficient workplace.
It helps prevents accidents and incidents that could not only injure staff but also create to operational disturbances, leading to extra costs and time delays. This does not just mean stopping serious injuries or preventing large financial disruptions, but small ones too such as sprains or slips or damaging individual pieces of equipment or stock – where the costs can quickly mount up. Safe manual handling means safer employees with less downtime and better operational efficiency.
Risks Associated with Manual Handling
Common Risks and Injuries
As manual handling covers a large scale of activities, there are a wide range of commonly occurring risks and injuries:
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Soft tissue injuries like muscle sprains
• Joint injuries and strains
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Postural and Over-exertion injuries
• Cumulative and chronic injuries or pains
Impact on Workplace Productivity and Costs
Any and all of the above could cause spiralling costs and serious productivity issues. Any injury could lead to absenteeism where employees avoid working in order to avoid injuries. They could also lead to compensation claims and reduced operational efficiency and low morale as staff take longer to do tasks out of fear of injuries and don’t contribute with the same effectiveness.
More serious incidents exacerbate this and lead to more hidden costs. Replacing workers means added costs for training new staff plus slower production as they reach the efficiency levels of whomever they are replacing.
Manual Handling Regulations and Compliance
Employers are regulated by law to protect workers from the risk of manual handling injuries at work. As stated on the UK government’s Health and Safety Executive, employers must specifically “comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002.”
Every employer needs to “so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured”.
In cases where this cannot be avoided, they need to perform a suitable risk assessment, provide employees with the necessary information and training for the load they will be handling, and take all appropriate steps to reduce injury – including providing mechanical assistance where possible.
Best Practices for Safe Manual Handling
Proper Lifting Techniques
Proper lifting techniques for avoiding injuries when handling loads are fairly straightforward, focusing on a few core tenets to avoid injuries while lifting.
When lifting:
• Assess the size and shape of the load before proceeding to lift it.
• Bend the knees and keep the back straight during the lift.
• Hold the item as close as possible to the body. The closer the centre of gravity is to the centre of the body, the better.
The key danger are muscle sprains in the back and in the arms. These steps help avoid this.
Avoiding Twisting and Overreaching
Positioning the body while handling the load is a critical part of safe handling. Incorrect positioning can become unsafe quickly when handling. You can avoid dangerously twisting your torso by pivoting your feet instead when turning. When it comes to reaching for items, never extend beyond your initial reach – most yourself as close as possible to the load before reaching to pick it up or put it down.
Training and Regular Risk Assessments
Education is the most critical part of manual handling. Employers should thoroughly educate and train employees on manual handling techniques and make the resources for re-education and training easily accessible. Employees who have been working for considerable periods of time should be invited to refresher courses. With the right information, employees can autonomously prevent injuries and incidents.
Regular risk assessments are equally vital for preventing injuries. New risk assessments should be conducted whenever changing workloads, working patterns, or work environments. Complacency in risk assessments can easily contribute to workplace incidents.
Role of Manual Handling Equipment in Workplace Safety
Manual handling equipment is a vital part of manual handling, enabling heavy and awkward loads to be handled with significantly reduced risk of injury and excellent operational efficiency.
Types of Manual Handling Equipment
There are a number of popularly used pieces of handling equipment.
• Pallet trucks enable the easy movement of heavy loads on pallets.
• Electric pallet trucks move heavier loads on pallets.
• Sack trucks enable safer movement of sacks.
• Stackers can easily stack goods on racks while order pickers allow for loads to be picked up from high shelves.
• Specialised equipment like the CAGEMOVER enable safer and more efficient handling of roll cages.
Benefits of Using Manual Handling Equipment
Using equipment presents a huge number of benefits to employers.
• Their ability to prevent incidents and their relevant costs, as well as their general durability, makes them incredibly cost-effective. This is especially the case with high-quality equipment from reputable supplier like SHS.
• When using manual handling equipment, handling operations are handled faster, smoother, and with less incidents contributing to better operational efficiency and productivity.
• The equipment protects employees and prevents workplace injuries leading to less employee downtime, better morale, and less compensation and retraining costs.
Conclusion: Why Safe Manual Handling Matters
Without proper manual handling techniques, equipment and training, businesses can suffer from injured staff, reduced productivity and additional costs, and even legal implications. But this can all be avoided by following safe manual handling practices, investing in quality equipment like pallet trucks, and providing employees with the right training. Prioritizing safety is not just a legal obligation but a commitment to the well-being and productivity of your team. SHS’ handling solutions, and our alliance with the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents, make this easy for you.
Explore our solutions, learn more about who we are, or get in contact with us to learn how we can improve your manual handling.