Manual handling of loads

The average person is exposed to manual lifting of loads in the work place, in recreational atmospheres, and even in the home.

[1] Manual handling of materials can be found in any workplace from offices to heavy industrial and manufacturing facilities.

Often times, manual material handling entails tasks such as lifting, climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose the risk of injury to the back and other skeletal systems which can often lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Musculoskeletal disorders can be defined as often involving strains and sprains to the lower back, shoulders, and upper limbs.

When an injury occurs from manual handling of materials, it often is a result of one of the following underlying condition(s).

Although musculoskeletal disorder can develop overtime, when manual handling of materials, they can also occur after only one activity.

These industries include but are not limited to: There are multiple tools which can be used to assess the manual handling of material.

Liberty Mutual Insurance has studied tasks related to manual materials handling, resulting in a comprehensive set of tables which predicts the percentages of both the male and female population that can move the weight of the object.

The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) is a tool developed by Dr. Sue Hignett and Dr. Lynn McAtamney which was published July 1998 in the Applied Ergonomics journal.

This measurement device was designed to be a tool that health and safety professionals could use in the field to assess posture techniques in the workplace.

[10] The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) is a tool developed by Dr. Lynn McAtamney and Professor E. Nigel Corlett which was published in 1993 in the Applied Ergonomics journal.

These devices can assist the worker by mechanically lifting, lowering, turning, or moving a heavy object to a different location.

Forklifts are powered vehicles (gas, diesel, electric) that are often used in facilities to move heavy items.

The truck can pick up significantly heavier objects compared to the human and move it to a new location.

If the weight exceeds the amount a person can easily push/pull, alternative means should be considered such as a forklift or a powered pallet jack.

Using a stretch and flex program allows the worker to properly warm up before exerting lots of energy in their normal workdays.

When properly stretched and warming up, the workers heartrate increases which in returns blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen to muscle groups.

[14] Physical and occupational therapists can be contracted to help develop a Stretch and Flex Program that is best suited for the work taking place.

Getting a good nights sleep is critical to help employees reduce workplace injuries from manual material handling.

[15] Using proper ergonomic techniques while manual handling of materials will help reduce the likelihood of injury.

[17] When moving containers, handlers are safer when pivoting their shoulders, hips and feet with the load in front at all times rather than twisting only the torso.

When handling heavy materials that exceed an individual's lifting capacity, experts suggest working with a partner to minimize the risk of injury.

Proper communication between partners is necessary for coordination during the lift, ensuring the safety of both the participants, the goods being carried, and the surrounding environment.

[18] The regulations define manual handling as "[...] any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force".

[19] However, manual materials handling may fall under Section 5(a) which is often referred to as the General Duty Clause.