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To
assist in ensuring that any manual handling is being carried out in a safe and efficient
manner. Poor manual handling is one of the major causes of back injury at the
work sites, Manual handling of load greater than 20Kg shall be avoided and
lifting appliance or mechanical aids shall be used, if possible.
The
correct manual lifting and carrying method to be used is the Kinetic Method,
which relies on using the strong leg muscles rather than the weaker back muscles,
and using the momentum of the body weight to initiate movement in the desired
direction.
Kinetic
Method
·
Mind
splinters, projecting nails
and sharp wires.
Also ensure that the
space to set down the load has need identified and
prepared. The person carrying the load shall be able to see over the top of the
load.
·
When lifting, the chin should be held in,
care taken not to bend the head forwards or backwards, the knee should be bent
to a crouching position, the back held straight. A firm grip must be obtained
with the palm of the hands and the roots of the fingers using finger tips mean
more effort and a chance of dropping the load.
·
Arms must be held as close to the body as
possible so that the body takes the weight instead of the finger, wrists, arms
and shoulders.
·
Lifting must be done with the thigh
muscles, by straightening the legs, lifting by easy stages from floor to knee,
knee to the carrying position. When carrying, do not change grip – rest the
load on some supports and then change, to set the object down, the lifting
procedure should be reversed.
·
Glove must be worn when handling sharp or
slippery objects. Do not wear rings. Do not stand with a heavy load. Proper
safety footwear must be worn. Special protective equipment must be worn when
handling dangerous liquids or chemicals.
·
When a load is being lifted and carried by
a group of men, the same principles as above should apply. One man must be in
charge for giving instructions.
·
Use skids, levers or rollers to assist in
moving heavy loads. Use chain or ropes to pull loads of ditches etc.
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