First of all let me share a dark secret with you, yes I suffer with my back. Years of neglect as a youth thinking I am tough, strong and invincible, well with age comes the realisation of back pain then wisdom, when you realise you are just a susceptible to back pain as anyone else. Quite funny really when you consider that a large part of my life is spent training other people on how to lift carefully and carrying out Manual Handling Risk Assessments in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
For all of us, part of the problem is that your spine, known to me as a suspension system and your discs known as shock absorbers have a very limited blood supply.
You might well ask, what has this to do with back pain, well the answer is pretty simple. Where you have good blood supply it follows that you have good sensory perception. For example, hold you hand out and slap it quite hard on the knuckle side say 5 times, what do you feel, yes pain. In other words your body in this case your hand is saying ouch that hurts, so stop it.
Now roll up your sleeve and hold your arm out straight and pinch as hard as you can the loose bit of skin on your elbow, what do you feel, absolutely nothing, that’s because you have little or no blood supply so even though you are hurting yourself, you do not feel the pain.
Now bear with me on this. The point is that you can be hurting your back on a daily basis without even realising this as the pain is masked by the limited blood supply, so when eventually you do start to suffer with back pain, whether muscular and or skeletal it means that your back has given up trying to mask the pain and is now telling you that an injury has been realised.
From this point on you have to be very careful and employ appropriate posture at all times when undertaking Manual Handling tasks whether at work or at home. Back pain is indiscriminate it does not care where you are, it will strike with a vengeance.
Yes I know you are muttering well bend zee knees, so whilst on the subject of posture what I have to say is that whilst most people do remember to bend zee knees, they don’t keep their back straight in order for the suspension and shock absorption system to work, thereby transferring the entire weight of the load to the apex of their back being the lumbar region, hence everyone seems to suffer from lower back pain.
OK point made, so lets move on to your workplace. Most employers and employees tell me that they don’t undertake Manual Handling. OK I say, but do you frequently move your IT equipment, stationary or even office furniture?
Oh yes they respond, well that is Manual Handling, so is carrying a brief case containing a lap top and files, so it is important to understand the next rule of Manual Handling, avoid it. By that I don’t mean don’t do it, but use a handling aid such as a brief case on wheels, or in the office a trolley or post cart, but please make sure the Manual Handling Aid you choose is suitable and sufficient for the purpose. This is covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. This states that all work equipment must be suitable and sufficient for its purpose.
For example I have often seen Handlers using a barrow trolley to lug loads up several flights of stairs, when in fact they should be using a stair climbing trolley which is suitable and sufficient and will make your life a lot easier and save you from the dreaded twinge that alerts you to the fact that a spasm is on the way!
Well I hope you have enjoyed my moan and advice and would ask that you consider the following carefully:
One of the reasons that Manual Handling is so often overlooked is that many Organisations simply do not recognise it as an every day activity when in reality it is and a pretty hazardous one and is also covered by the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 so as to avoid harm occurring to your employees. All you have to do is ask your self the following:
Do we take delivery and move any of the following:
- Stationary
- Computers & Laptops
- Printers
- Furniture
- Water containers
Well if the answer is yes, then it is Manual Handling and you need to provide adequate levels of Information, Instruction & Training for those involved, as well as the compulsory Workplace Risk Assessment. In accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (Sitting an employee down in front of a video alone is not considered training).
Please remember that if you do not adhere to these absolute legal requirements you are most likely invalidating your Employers Liability (compulsory) Insurance Policy and that carries serious implications.
Frequently asked Manual Handling questions:
What is Manual Handling?
The Transporting and supporting of a load using bodily force Pulling, pushing, carrying even throwing.
Am I required by Law to provide adequate levels of Information, Instruction & Training?
Yes
Do we have to carry out a Manual Handling Risk Assessment?
Yes
What is the first Rule of Manual Handling?
Avoid it by using a mechanical aid.
Does that mean a trolley?
Any Handling Aid should be suitable and sufficient for its purpose, so don’t use a regular trolley to handle loads on stairs but use a stair climbing trolley.
What is the second rule?
Don’t just keep you knees bent but also keep your back in the upright position when lifting.
What part of my body is most at risk?
Primarily your lower back (lumbar region)
What legislation applies to this subject?
The Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs 1999
Manual Handling Operations Regs 1992
Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regs 1998
So, now that you have discovered that Manual Handling is an activity at your place of work, we need to consider the following:
Important Tips for reducing risks in the workplace
Always ask yourself, where are we taking this load too, what hazards will I encounter en-route and can I manage this task on my own? Consider the following in relation to the person undertaking the task:
- Age
- Gender
- Health Problems
- Fitness
- Attitude
- Experience
- Weight of load
- Centre of gravity
- Grab handles
- Do I need assistance
Now ask yourself what are the likely hazards that the person may encounter whilst undertaking the Handling task
- Where is the destination
- Single doors/ double doors
- Passenger lift call button
- Incline & Decline in floor levels
- Slippery surfaces internal & external
- Adequate lighting level
- Repetitive Handling
- Static postures
- Handling aids
Please remember the above are just some of the considerations and hazards that a Handler may encounter on a daily basis and should be planned for so as to avoid harm occurring.
The end result, well if you undertake Manual Handling tasks having trained the people responsible and having carried out a Risk Assessment you will benefit from:
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduction in Manual Handling accidents
- Increased productivity
- Adding Value to your Organisation
- Increasing Profitability
- Increased moral
- Less turnover of staff
At Winter & Company we run a monthly in-house Manual Handling Training programme here at our Training suite. Just visit www.health-safety.net “must do courses”. Alternatively we will Train your Handlers at you place of work. Just call Eve Horgan on 020 7353 4999 ext 221 and Eve will do the rest.
Why not let us undertake your Manual handling Risk Assessment?
