In this resource, we’ll explain why correct manual handling technique is important, and provide three suggestions for proper technique if you’re new to manual handling.
What is manual handling?
Manual handling, also known as manual tasks, is any activity requiring effort to lift, move, push, pull, carry, hold or restrain any object, including a person or animal.
Will learning how to lift properly reduce your risk of manual handling injury?
You would expect that learning the “safe” way to lift a box would be a great way to perfect your manual handling techniques and prevent musculoskeletal injury, wouldn’t you? The truth is, there is no one “safe” way to lift.
Studies have consistently shown that “how to lift safely” training is not effective in preventing musculoskeletal injuries. This has been linked to emphasis on “safe” techniques that don’t actually match the risk factors associated with real-world tasks. Training in “safe” techniques alone does not:
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Change worker behaviour
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Change any of the risk factors
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Prevent back pain
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Reduce the rate or cost of musculoskeletal injuries
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Reduce subsequent disability
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Improve actual lifting activities
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Satisfy Australian OH&S manual handling training obligations
Instead of giving detailed and technical step-by-step instructions on how to lift a box from ground to bench with a perfectly straight back and bent knees, we are instead going to spend your valuable reading time outlining some excellent strategies for you to ace real-world manual handling.
Why is correct manual handling important?
According to Safe Work Australia, 79% of body stressing musculoskeletal workplace injuries in 2012-16 resulted from muscular stress while lifting, carrying, putting down or handling objects. Having a strong foundation of knowledge in manual handling gives us the ability to identify and manage risks for ourselves. This is fundamental in preventing manual handling injuries.
3 Easy Steps for Correct Manual Handling
1. Think CLEAR
Prepare your body:
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Prior to undertaking a manual handling task, it’s essential that you prepare. In the same way that footy players get their eye-in with kicking drills before the game and golfers practise their swings before taking a shot, it’s essential that we calibrate our mind/body connection.
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A short dynamic warm-up has been shown to increase accuracy, readiness and reaction time. This warm-up can be as simple as replicating the task at hand three times, progressively building speed and volume of movement.
Identify and manage hazards, including:
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Avoid prolonged and awkward postures
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Minimise excessive force
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Avoid high repetition and frequency
Make a clear plan:
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Ensure the planned route is clear and free from obstacles
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Seek assistance for this task if necessary – another person, or a manual handling aid.
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Plan for the task to occur at an appropriate speed, to allow for better reaction time.
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To think about how important speed is, let’s consider these women on bikes. If they were to hit a stone on the path, the force and severity of impact would be vastly more extensive for the one moving at speed downhill on a race bike, than to the ladies going for a leisurely paced ride.
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To illustrate the power of thinking clearly, I want you to think back to the last time you were moving furniture. Often, two people will awkwardly carry the couch, stepping backwards or sideways over a pile of boxes and navigating a stray lego block or two, only to find that the couch does not actually fit through the door frame. A planned, measured and cleared pathway will go miles in tasks as simple as these, and those much more complex ones we face at work and at home.
2. Think CAPACITY
Another important component of performing correct manual handling techniques is to understand your capacity to complete the task at hand. Your capacity today might not be the same as it was yesterday, or tomorrow, or last week, or next year. There are many variables that can change your capacity at any given time. Here are some common ones:
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Being at the start or end of your shift
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Monday morning after a big weekend
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Your quality and duration of sleep the night prior (7-8 hours is a good target for most adults)
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Your diet the day prior (aim for at least 5 serves of vegetables, 2 serves of fruit)
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Your exercise regime last week (150 minutes moderate intensity is recommended)
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Your experience with completing the task previously
Do you know the maximum weight a person should be lifting?
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There is no single figure that can be recommended. The literature has found that there’s no significant difference between capping weight and prevention of workplace musculoskeletal injuries. This is because there are so many intrinsic and extrinsic factors involved with manual handling techniques, besides the actual weight being lifted.
3. Think Close
Thinking close is another key component for correct manual handling. This encompasses a few different elements:
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Ensure the load is as close as possible to its destination prior to lifting.
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Keep your feet close to the load, and pointing in the direction you’re planning to move towards.
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Keep the load close to your body during the lift.
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You are strongest when a load is kept close to your centre of gravity, thanks to the concept of levers.
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Think about when you are pouring milk into a cup. You hold the milk carton close to your body to maintain control over the pour. Next time you are making a coffee, try to hold the milk with your arm outstretched and make a pour. You will find that, although the mass of the milk carton has remained constant, your perspective of how heavy it is will change, and your control will significantly decline.
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Keep frequently used objects close and accessible.
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In the same way that we keep the milk in the fridge door for easy access, this should be a consideration for packing a car boot or organising tool storage at work. Keeping the heavier and more frequently used items closest to reach helps to avoid unnecessary awkward movements and excessive force on your body.
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