Manual Handling Operations Regulations apply to a wide range of manual handling activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. The load may be either inanimate such as a trolley or a box, or a person or an animal.
Manual handling risk assessment
is one of the most common forms of health and safety training in the
workplace. It is basic yet essential health and safety which everyone
needs to be aware of and trained appropriately.
Manual Handling Control Measures
Here are a few control measures which are
stated in the regulations. Avoid hazardous manual handling operations
so far as is reasonably practicable. An example of this is to try
redesigning the task to avoid moving the object or load or by automating
or the task.
Make an appropriate assessment of all hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
You should provide mechanical assistance,
for example a hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicable, look at
ways of changing the task, the load and working environment.
Regular Lifting Of Objects
Frequent and heavy lifting and handling
can cause back injuries. Using lifting and handling aids can remove or
reduce the risk of gaining an injury and can keep workers healthy and at
work.
Individuals and company employees may
argue that their role in the workplace does not include lifting heavy
objects or people, this is a fair comment however manual handling is not
just about lifting heavy objects or people, there are principles
involved such as bending you knees instead of your back when lifting. Manual handling risk assessment is about techniques and assessing the risks involved.
If an object is not heavy yet it is large
and difficult such as a three piece suite, it is likely to require more
than one person to lift it, this in itself will considerably reduce the
risk of causing an unnecessary injury. If you have ever seen an
individual pick up a three piece suite without the assistance of a
second person, you will probably agree that it does not look safe or
comfortable for that matter and is more likely to cause an accident than
if he or she had the support of a second person.
There are numerous factors to take into
account when handling objects including distance of travel, how far does
the object need carrying, does the object contain liquid or powder, are
there any objects in the way which you or your colleague may trip over
if it’s not moved prior to lifting.
Believe it or not, it is possible to
injure yourself, especially your back, by lifting the smallest of
objects. Although this type of injury may be considered by most as
extremely unlikely, employers are required to take necessary precautions
to ensure that employees are aware they can happen. The employer has an
obligation to educate the employee as far as reasonably practicable in
order to prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring.
Job Fit – Manual handling risk assessment
PO Box 519,
Patterson Lakes, VIC 3197
Phone 0359770222
Mobile 0414873401
http://www.jobfit.net.au
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