Here’s more topics from “A Health and Safety Guideline for your Workplace” by The Industrial Accident Prevention Association 2008:
Manual Materials Handling
Control Measures
The best control measure is to eliminate the need for workers to perform manual handling tasks. Since this is not always possible, design manual handling tasks so that they are within the workers’ capabilities. Considerations include the load itself, the design of the workstation and work practices. Providing mechanical handling devices or aids can often eliminate the task itself or ease the demands on the worker.
Task Design
The Load
Reduce the weight of the load by decreasing the:
●● size of the object (specify size to suppliers)
●● weight of the container (e.g., plastic is
●● lighter than steel)
●● capacity of containers
●● load in the container
Conversely, consider increasing the weight of the load so that it may only be handled mechanically.
This can be done by the use of:
●● palletized loads, and
●● larger bins or containers
Decrease the load on the worker by:
●● limiting the number of objects he/she is required to handle during the day
●● designating heavier loads as team lifts (i.e., two or more persons)
●● changing the size and shape of the load so that the worker can get closer to the load’s centre of gravity
Work Station Design
Reduce the distance over which the load has to be moved by relocating production and storage areas.
Design work stations so that workers:
●● can store and handle all material between knuckle and shoulder height; waist height is most desirable
●● can begin and end handling material at the same height
●● can face the load and handle materials as close to the body as possible
●● do not have to handle loads using awkward postures or an extended reach, and
●● do not handle loads in confined spaces that prevent them from using good body mechanics
Facilitate access to material by:
●● providing workbenches and other work stations with toe cut-outs, so that workers can get closer to the load
●● supplying bins and totes with removable sides
●● removing obstructions, such as unnecessary railings on bins
Work Practices
Lifting and Lowering
Eliminate the need to lift or lower manually by providing and ensuring proper use of:
●● lift trucks, cranes, hoists, scissor lifts, drum and barrel dumpers, stackers, work dispensers, elevating conveyors, articulating arms and other mechanical devices
●● gravity dumps and chutes
●● power lift tail gates on trucks, and hand trucks to ensure easy transfer of material from the truck to ground level
●● portable ramps or conveyors to lift and lower loads on to work stations
Pushing and Pulling
Eliminate pushing or pulling by ensuring the use of:
●● powered conveyors, powered trucks, slides, chutes, monorails, air tables and similar mechanical aids
Make loads easier to push or pull by ensuring the use of:
●● carts, hand trucks and dollies with large diameter casters and good bearings, and
●● grips or handles on loads or mechanical aids, placed to provide optimal push force and prevent awkward postures
Instruct employees to:
●● push rather than pull
●● avoid overloading – limit the load pushed or pulled at one time
●● ensure the load does not block vision
●● never push one load and pull another at the same time
Carrying and Holding
Reduce carrying and holding forces by:
●● evaluating the work flow – determine if heavy loads can be moved mechanically over any distance
●● converting the operation into a pushing or pulling task
●● providing carts, slings or trolleys
●● providing portable containers in which to place awkward loads
●● providing grips or handles on loads
●● limiting the distance over which the load is moved
Environmental Factors
Maintain an optimum environment by ensuring that:
●● the temperature of the work area is at an acceptable level
●● in a hot environment
–– workers take frequent breaks away from the heat
–– workers drink frequently from liquids provided near the work site
●● in a cold environment,
–– workers wear good insulating clothing
–– loads are easy to handle when gloves and heavy clothing are worn
●● humidity is at an acceptable level
●● lifting instructions can be heard in a noisy environment
●● lighting levels are adequate for the work place
●● the layout of the work area provides better access to the load
●● the aisles are clear of obstacles
●● signs are posted where there are gradients in the slope of the floor; whenever possible, limit such slopes to 10 degrees
Storage
Provide proper storage facilities such as:
●● storage boxes and containers that can be
●● lifted mechanically rather than requiring manual handling
●● avoid deep shelving that make retrieving or placing a load difficult
●● racks or shelf trucks to store material, thus eliminating the need for lifting the containers
●● storage bins and containers with fold down sides for easier access to loads
When storing loads, employees should:
●● store loads in easy to access locations
●● store loads between knuckle and shoulder height
Personal Factors
Clothing
Wear appropriate clothing and safe, comfortable shoes:
●● clothes that are comfortable around the hips, knees and shoulders, and that do not have exposed buttons or loose flaps, and
●● non-slip shoes with broad based low heels.
Safety footwear is essential when handling heavy loads on a regular basis
Fitness
Encourage workers to remain in good physical condition by participating in regular exercise programs. To stay healthy, Health Canada’s Physical Activity Guide recommends 60 minutes of light effort, or 30 minutes of vigorous effort, every day.
Incorporating exercise is easier than you think. For example:
●● use the stairs, not the elevator
●● walk instead of driving
●● stretch or exercise between TV shows
The following tips can also enhance fitness:
●● use good body mechanics when sitting, standing, lifting, etc. For example, when lifting:
–– maintain a curve in the lower back
–– stabilize the back by lightly contracting the stomach muscles
●● take regular task breaks to avoid or reduce muscle fatigue
●● get adequate sleep on a good mattress
●● eat sensibly; follow the Canada Food Guide
