Getting to Grips: page 7

 

How far must I reduce the risk?

To the lowest level ‘reasonably practicable’. That means reducing the risk until the cost of any further precautions - time, effort or money - would be far too great in proportion to the benefits.

Do I have to provide mechanical aids in every case?

You should definitely provide mechanical aids if it is reasonably practicable to do so and the risks identified in your risk assessment can be reduced or eliminated by this means. But you should consider mechanical aids in other situations as well - they can improve productivity as well as safety. Even something as simple as a sack truck can make a big improvement.

 

What about training?

Training is important but remember that, on its own, it can’t overcome:

• a lack of mechanical aids;
• unsuitable loads;
• bad working conditions.

Training should cover:

• manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur;
• how to carry out safe manual handling including good handling technique (see ‘Good handling technique for lifting’ and ‘Good handling technique for pushing and pulling’);
• appropriate systems of work for the individual’s tasks and environment;
• use of mechanical aids;
• practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainee is not doing safely.

Good handling technique for lifting

Here are some practical tips, suitable for use in training people in safe manual handling.

In the following section a basic lifting operation is taken as an example.

• Think before lifting/handling.
  
  Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load?
  Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials.
  For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.

                                                                 

Think before lifting / handling.                               Keep the load close to the waist.

 

 

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