Safe Lifting and Carrying

Safe Lifting and Carrying

Risk Assessments are carried out by your employer to consider the best way to deal with any manual handling operations. The results from this is likely to include buying raw materials and ingredients is small size units where possible as weight and size of loads is important, the smaller and lighter the load is the less problems that are likely to result. This does not mean there will not be any manual handling to be done, there always is. It is important that everyone understands the main principles of safe lifting and handling. The main points to remember are:

1. Stop and think before you attempt any manual handling

• Can you manage to do it on your own or do you need help?

• Is your route clear so you can get to where you need to safely?

• Is there space available to put the load down when you get there?

• Do you need to break the load down into smaller units?

• Do you need to wear any PPE? E.g Gloves for holding hot or cold items

2. Position your feet

Ideally you should have your feet apart, one foot slightly forward to the other.

3. Bend your knees

If you are reaching down to the ground to pick something up your knees should be bent so that when you lift you can use your leg muscles to take the load by straightening your legs.

4. Firm grip and keep the back straight

• The back is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body when lifting and carrying. If you twist the spine awkwardly, or too much you can damage it. It should be kept naturally straight.

• When you are picking any load up you need to make sure you can get a good firm grip on it. Some loads will have handles, which are designed to use for lifting and carrying.

5. Lift load by straightening the legs

Ideally you use the leg muscles to lift loads rather than the arms or back.

6. Keep load close to the body

The most efficient way to carry a load is to have it close to the body at waist height. If you have to move it up, down or away from the body you are more likely to be putting more strain on your arms and wrists. Where possible slide loads towards you before you pick them up.

7. Carrying

• Keep the load close to your body

• Keep arms and elbows tucked in

• Make sure you can see where you are going

• Don’t twist your body, turn your whole body using your legs

8. Putting down

Try to put loads down close to the body, using the same techniques as when you picked it up. Push loads away from you into position, if you need to

HSE Manual Handling Guide

The HSE have an excellent guide "Manual handling at work A brief guide" which you should read: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf