Manual handling &

safety signage

Module 1

Manual handling

• Manual handling is any activity involving the use of muscular force (or effort) to lift, move, push, pull, carry, hold or restrain any object, including a person or animal. It covers more than lifting heavy weights and affects more than the back.

• Manual handling also includes the repetitive activity seen in assembly work; the sustained muscle exertion required to restrain or support a load; and the effort needed to maintain the fixed postures that occur in the back and neck while typing.

• Injuries often occur due to wear and tear, accumulated from frequent periods of manual handling activity that stress the body, such as repetitive work or heavy lifting. The effects of these injuries often become more disabling as workers become older.

Manual handling

• Employers support manual handling

program through:

– Policy and procedure

– Equipment

– Training

– Counselling

– Report

– Listen and action to feedback from employees

– Amend the above where necessary

Manual handling

• Employees support manual handling

program through:

– Attending the training

– Implementing the policy and procedure

– Report any accident

– Provide feedback to the employers

Assessing the risk –

manual handlingWhen conducting a risk assessment of manual

handling tasks the following factors must be taken into consideration.

• The posture of the worker

• The forces exerted by the worker and any forces exerted on the worker by the object, person or animal

• Speed of movements by the worker

• Exposure of the worker to vibration; and

• The duration and frequency of the task

Assessing the risk –

manual handlingIn addition:

• The layout of the work area

• The work environment

• The characteristics of any relevant item; and

• Work organisation and the system of work.

Manual handling steps

Manual handling

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SBe-jt6dg

Summary

• Understanding manual handling

procedures help avoid injuries at the

workplace.

• All employees are required to behave

according to manual handling procedure.

Signage

• To implement OHS, sometimes signage is required to

communicate certain condition to all stakeholders.

• It has to be updated if situation changes so all

stakeholders could receive the correct information from

the signage.

• The message communicated must be reinforced,

otherwise it will confuse the stakeholders.

Types of signage

• Mandatory signs

• Danger signs

• Warning signs

• Prohibition signs

• Fire & exit signs

• Hazchem signs

• Emergency signs

• Traffic & vehicle signs

• Construction site signs

• Facility signs

Summary

• Signage communicates the safety

situation to all stakeholders.

• All stakeholders must obey the signage.