MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

Every year tens of thousands of workers worldwide suffer serious injury from lifting heavy objects incorrectly. Nerves can become trapped. Ligaments can be stretched. Muscles can easily be torn and damaged. In severe cases, the consequences could include permanent disability and affect the individual's ability to earn a living.

In this new training package the main risks from bad practice are considered and the ways of avoiding problems are demonstrated.

The first step is to undertake a proper risk assessment prior to lifting and to consider alternatives. Is there a piece of equipment available that would do the job, or at the least, make carrying easier? Is help from a colleague necessary? Are you sure that you will be able to reach your final destination easily? Are stairs involved in the task - accidentally tripping and falling when carrying large and heavy loads often causes major injury.

If manual handling is necessary then it is important that lifting is undertaken correctly. The key to safe lifting is keeping the spinal column upright. If it is off the vertical then even a small amount of pressure can cause damage to one or more of the discs that separate the vertebrae. Using a combination of computer animation of the spine, and lifting operations in a studio as well as in a variety of industrial locations, the correct procedures for lifting are clearly demonstrated.

The package also points out that repeating the same lifting or stretching movement frequently over time can also harm muscles and joints, sometimes severely, even though each individual action does not involve a high level of stress. And no exertion can be just as bad! Sitting badly for long periods can be as harmful as any damage caused by poor lifting.

Finally, the package stresses the importance of warming up and stretching prior to lifting. This increases the blood flow to muscles and makes them more flexible and able to take the strain.

By following the guidelines explained in this package, people in all walks of life should be able to lift objects correctly and avoid many of the injuries that are all too common as a result of bad practice. The package provides an excellent training tool for companies to improve their health and safety record and reduce lost time injuries.