What is Manual Handling?

Manual handling can be described as the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any animate or inanimate object.

Manual handling is the cause of many workplace injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) and repetitive movement strain injuries.

Safe manual handling refers to the methods used to safely move or lift objects by hand. There are many potential hazards when performing manual handling tasks and these hazards can lead to serious injuries, including back pain, muscle strains, and hernias. To reduce the risk of injury, it is important to use safe manual handling techniques.

About this Manual Handling Safety Toolbox Talk

This manual handling safety toolbox talk can help you train workers and enable your business to provide a safe working environment and safe systems of work. The toolbox talk provides information on how to identify hazardous manual tasks, assess the risk factors and determine appropriate control measures.

Recommendations for Safe Manual Handling

No person should ever attempt to lift any object beyond their lifting capacity. If an object appears to be too heavy, seek assistance or use a mechanical lifting device such as a pallet jack or forklift.

When lifting an object, follow these simple guidelines to avoid injuries:

• Ensure that you can gain clear access to the object to be lifted.
• Get a good stable footing, particularly with heavy objects.
• Place your feet about shoulder-width apart in a comfortably balanced position, close to the object to be lifted.
• Bend at the knees and grasp the object for safe lifting.
• Maintain a straight back—your back should never be bent.
• Take a firm hold of the object using the palms of your hands, not just your fingers; use gloves if the object has sharp edges.
• Lift the object gradually by straightening your legs and letting your leg muscles, not your lower back, do the work.
• Do not twist your body; if you must turn, move your feet to re-position the object.
• Carry the object close to your body and ensure you can clearly see where you are going.
• When lowering the object, keep your back straight, maintain a good grip and be careful not to jam your fingers.

A typical workplace will require many different tasks and a great deal of these will involve manual handling. It is therefore essential that our bodies are prepared for these situations.

Note: Flexibility is one of the key factors in helping to reduce muscle strain during manual handling. As such, it is recommended that all personnel undertake stretching exercises before manual handling.

Why Subscribe and Download this Manual Handling Safety Toolbox Talk?

This 2-page toolbox talk on manual handling safety can assist you train employees to identify hazardous manual tasks, assess the risk factors and determine appropriate control measures to avoid manual handling injuries.

With this manual handling safety toolbox talk you will be able to:

• Very easily edit and customize the template to create your own manual handling safety toolbox talk.
• Apply your own style, format and brand to the manual handling safety toolbox talk.
• Use it in any industry or sector regardless of size or type of organization.

Availability and Use of this Manual Handling Safety Toolbox Talk

• This manual handling toolbox talk is accessible to you right now by clicking the ‘Become a Member Now’ button.
• The toolbox talk will be delivered to you in fully editable Microsoft Word format for immediate and full use in your business.
• There are no membership auto-renewals, contracts or ongoing costs.

If you can find HSEQ documents that are of better value than what your Membership offers, we will REFUND YOU double the cost of your membership.

You may also need:

• Manual Handling Checklist
• SWMS for Manual Handling
• Manual Handling Procedure
• Manual Handling Assessment