MANUAL WORK HANDLING What is manual work handling?

Manual work handling is any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or by bodily force. It includes all the work activities where loads are moved by:

lifting putting down pushing pulling carrying bending twisting repetitive movement

Manual Handling and Back Injuries More than 25% of the industrial accidents are associated with manual handling. Such accidents mostly result in lower back injuries. Back injuries are common among occupational groups in which repeated and prolonged strain is put on the spine e.g. farmers, nurses, machine operators, miners, maintenance staff, etc. It is much better to avoid getting a back injury, than to try to fix the situation afterwards. Most of the times back injuries are cumulative and they result from carrying out the same activities repeatedly, with poor posture. The Spine (Back bone)

The vertebral column (Spine) is formed of 33 bones, called vertebrae. It has four curves, two of which, thoracic and pelvic, are concave and are formed before we are born. The other two, cervical and lumbar, are convex and are formed when we begin to sit up and walk. The vertebrae are bound together by powerful ligaments. The joints between the bones of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions are called discs. The discs act as buffers (shock absorbers) between the vertebrae to withstand forces of compression. The spine, as a whole, is a very mobile structure. The spine can bend forwards (flexion), backwards (extension) and sideways (lateral flexion), and can twist (rotation).

Good posture The posture that you adopt when performing a manual work handling activity depends on how you handle the load. A good posture is important in two ways: 1. Good posture gives maximum efficiency of applying muscular effort. 2. Work handled at good posture does not result in discomfort or injury. The muscles and joints in your back receive least strain when you are upright and are maintaining your natural curves in your spine. Therefore, you will be putting least strain on your back if you do manual handing activities with your back in this position. Combination of poor posture and heavy load place your back at risk by putting too much strain on it. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are the most common kind of work-related illness and include problems like lower back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries. Most MSDs can be avoided if you know what causes them and how to protect yourself. What are the causes of MSDs? MSDs can be caused by: repetitive and heavy lifting bending and twisting, or repeating something too often working in an awkward or uncomfortable position using too much force working too long without breaks working in extreme conditions (for example, too hot or cold) using defective, worn, or the wrong tools for the job not dealing with symptoms quickly enough How can MSDs be prevented? Most importantly, you need to make sure you are properly trained in how to: use tools and equipment safely. handle heavy or awkward loads You should also make sure that you: take regular breaks vary your work to reduce repetitive tasks If you think you're suffering from a MSD, make sure you: report symptoms to your employer as soon as they develop get the right treatment are allowed enough time to recover properly

Ten Tips for Safer Lifting You can help yourself by making sure that you are using your muscles efficiently. Here are some tips for safer lifting: 1. Lifting actions are strongest when performed close to the body. 2. The strength of a lifting action is highest at around knuckle height to waist height and falls off rapidly above and below this level. 3. Pulling and pushing actions are strongest, and therefore require less effort, when the load is being moved in a straight line. 4. Symmetrical lifting (i.e. using two hands ) is safer than using one hand. 5. Plan the lift before you begin and make sure that you know where you are going, and that your path is clear. 6. If you are picking something up off the floor or from a low shelf, try to bend your knees and keep your back straight. Let your leg muscles do the work. 7. Ask for help if needed, or if possible, divide the load to make it lighter. 8. If you are lifting with someone else, make sure that both of you know what you are doing before you begin. 9. Examine the object for sharp corners, slippery spots or other potential hazards. 10. Know your capacity and don't try to exceed it. Safe Manual lifting procedure 1. Keep your back straight 2. tuck in your chin 3. keep your feet as close to the load as possible, with them slightly apart and one foot slightly more forward than the other 4. bend your knees and crouch to the load 5. get a firm grip on the load using the whole of your hand, not just your fingers 6. keep your elbows well tucked in 7. lift the load using your legs in a smooth controlled way, raising the load and then move forward

Follow these steps to lift the load safely: -

1. Stand close to the load with your feet spread apart about shoulder width, with one foot slightly in front of the other for balance.

2. Squat down bending at the knees (not your waist). Tuck your chin while keeping your back as vertical as possible.

3. Get a firm grasp of the object before beginning the lift.

4. Begin slowly lifting with your LEGS by straightening them. Never twist your body during this step.

5. Once the lift is complete, keep the object as close to the body as possible. As the load's center of gravity moves away from the body, there is a dramatic increase in stress to the lumbar region of the back.

6. If you must turn while carrying the load, turn using your feet-not your torso. AVOID TWISTING

7. To place the object below the level of your waist, follow the same procedures in reverse order. Remember, keep your back as vertical as possible and bend at the knees.

Extreme Postures of Back Some times work men assume some extreme postures while handling the work. Many a times the he chooses such postures on his or her own to perform the given task. Work piece positioning, equipment orientation, and workstation layout may also compel work man to use these extreme postures. Extreme postures are always less efficient than the normal postures. A person working from an extreme posture will have to use more force to accomplish the same amount of work when compared to using a neutral posture. Given below are some extreme postures: A) Twisting the back without moving the feet.

B) Lateral bending.

C) Back flexion( bending stress); associated with picking up objects below knuckle height.

D) Back extension; associated with reaching above the heart.

E) An obstruction at the work place forces the work man to hold and move the load away from spine.

Using Weight to Advantage In pushing and pulling tasks the handler should use his or her own weight to advantage. When pushing the person should lean into the push and when pulling should lean in the direction of travel. All push/pull tasks require adequate friction between the floor and the operators shoes to provide adequate traction and avoid slipping.

A) Pushing.

B) Pulling. ***********************************