Frequently asked questions
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Just because you have been carrying heavy things for a long time, doesn’t mean that it is the correct way to do things. You may have been causing damage to your body without realising. Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work. Carrying out this training could result in fewer absences which is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.
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All employers have a responsibility to avoid manual handling where possible if there is a risk of injury. If the lifting cannot be avoided then they should reduce the risk of injury as much as possible.
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You should always test the weight of the load before lifting it. Then you should make sure that you are in a stable position. Always make sure you use your legs, they are your strongest muscles and minimise the pressure on your back. When lifting from the floor you should, find a stable position, lower to the floor by bending your knees and keeping your back straight, then bring the load close to your body and use your legs to lift as you stand keep the neutral posture
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There are no legal limits of what you can or can’t lift at work. But 20kg is about the maximum you should be lifting.
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The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 is the legislation surrounding manual handling. It states that if your workplace requires you to do manual handling then everyone one should undertake proper training to understand what the do’s and don’ts of lifting are.
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The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 defines manual handling as “…any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.”
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Last year, 21% of all non-fatal injuries reported were due to manual handling alone.
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It is the employer’s responsibility to conduct risk assessments in the workplace.
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The power zone is the zone between your mid-thigh and mid-chest, where you can lift the most amount of weight with the least amount of exertion
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TILE or LITE stands for load, individual, task and environment. To find out more visit our TILE & LITE blog.
Documents & other resources
A 12 step poster for your workplace…
A 12 step poster for your workplace…
The Golden Rules of Manual Handling
This guide shows the 3 golden rules that anyone should follow when it comes to manual handling. Test the weight of the object, find a stable position and use your legs when lifting.
Posture Reminder
We have created this desktop wobble reminder to maintain a neutral posture. This should sit on your desk as a memory aid to maintain a good posture to relieve stress on your muscles, tendons, nerves a
Posture Guide
This Posture Guide shows the awkward and neutral postures that you can have with your back, hands and shoulders. Awkward postures can sometimes cause damage or discomfort to your muscles.
LITE Assessment Reminder
This poster can be used around your workplace to remind people who are carrying out manual handling tasks to assess the load, individual, task and environment.
LITE Assessment Breakdown
This guide will show you how to assess your manual handling task. How to break it down into each section and what questions you should ask yourself within each section.
Powerzone Chart
The Powerzone chart contains guidelines for lifting and lowering safely. Working within the guidelines reduces the risk, but does not guarantee your complete safety.
