MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS

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MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS
Presented by
Martin Kirk CMIOSH, PgC, BSc (Hons) MIRTE,
MSOE Vice Chair London Metropolitan Branch IOSH
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Aim

• To update on the Manual Handling Operations
  Regulations(1992)
• To highlight guideline limits for RA
• To explain the MAC assessment tool and its
  possible uses
• Questions and Answers

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Manual Handling Operations Regulations(1992)

• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
  (MHO) came into force on 1 January 1993.
• 2002 Amendment required a new Regulation 4(3) to
  be introduced, which applies when considering
• (1) whether a MH operation "involves a risk of
  injury" and
• (2) determining appropriate risk reduction
  measures.

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Manual Handling Operations Regulations(1992)
Regulation 4(3)(a) Individual capability,
Regulation 4(3)(b) Clothing footwear or personal
effects Regulation 4(3)(c) Knowledge and
training Regulation 4(3)(e) Employees especially
at risk Regulation 4(3)(f) Health surveillance
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Purpose of the Assessment

• To make the load LITE.
• Therefore we must consider
• The Load
• The Individual
• The Task
• The Environment

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LOAD

• A load in this context must be a discrete
  movable object. This includes, for example, not
  only packages and boxes but also a patient
  receiving medical attention, an animal during
  husbandry or undergoing veterinary treatment, and
  material supported on a shovel or fork. An
  implement, tool or machine, such as a chainsaw,
  fire hose or breathing apparatus, is not
  considered to be a load when in use for its
  intended purpose. HSE (2004)

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The Load

• Heavy
• Bulky or unwieldy
• Difficult to grasp
• Unstable or unpredictable
• Intrinsically harmful

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INDIVIDUAL

• Unusual physical capability
• PPE interfere with activity
• Does it call for special training or information
• Hazardous to staff with a health problem
• Hazardous to pregnant staff

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HSE Weight Filter for Lifting Lowering
Based on 30 operations per hour (1 lift every 2
Minutes) over an 8 hour shift
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Lifting Away From Trunk
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TASK

• Repetitive handling
• Team handling
• Handling while seated, kneeling, laying
• Static handling postures
• Insufficient time for rest or recovery
• Rate of work imposed by the process
• Awkward combination of postures, or standing on
  one leg

• Twisting
• Stooping
• Reaching up
• Large vertical lift
• Long carry
• Holding away from Trunk
• Strenuous pushing or
• pulling
• Unpredictable movement
• of load

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• Lifting Frequency Guidelines

If lifting operations are more frequent than 30
operations per hour then the guideline figure
will be reduced.
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• Twisting Guidelines

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Carrying Guidelines

• Load must be held against the body.
• Carried no further than 10m without a rest,
  unless load can be secured to the shoulder
  without first being lifted e.g. sacks from a
  lorry.
• A more detailed assessment should be made
• for all carrying operations if
• A load is carried over a longer distance without
  resting or
• The hands are below knuckle height or above elbow
  height (due to static loading on arm muscles)

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• Pushing and Pulling Guidelines

• Force to be applied with both hands between
  knuckle and shoulder height.
• Distance travelled no more than 20m without rest
• More detailed assessment if the above arent met

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• Handling While
• Seated Guidelines

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ENVIRONMENT

• Space constraints
• Uneven, slippery, unstable floors
• Varied heights of floors and work surfaces
• Extreme weather/temperature conditions
• Lighting conditions

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• Slopes Guidelines

Forces are increased when pushing or pulling on a
slope. Slopes should not be so steep as to make
keeping control of the load difficult.
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Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC)

• are an initial screening tool to identify
  high-risk manual handling activities
• incorporate a numerical scoring system to assist
  with prioritising interventions
• use a traffic light colour scheme which
  indicates which element of the MH task is
  high-risk

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MAC Flow Diagrams
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Load / Frequency Graph Lifting
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Recording the MAC Assessment
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Generic Control Measures

• Stop doing the activity.
• Automate the activity (may create other risks).
• Mechanise the operation (may create other risks).
• Decrease the job demands. (duration, load weight)
• Develop safe systems of work.
• All of these measures must be managed to ensure
  they are complied with. Regular review to
  identify improvements.

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Questions Answers
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Thank You