Manual Handling
- About 80% of Australia's will experience back pain at some stage in their lives
- Up to 15% will experience back pain in any one year
- Is an activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining
- May also include stretching and bending, sustained and awkward postures and repetitive movements
- Can result in musculoskeletal injuries
Examine Every Manual Handling Task
- Is there a procedure for this task? If so, follow it.
- Must the load be moved?
- Must it be lifted?
- Slid, pushed, pulled, rolled, poured, pumped - Can it be moved mechanically?
- Crane, forklift, hand truck, winch - Can the load be reduced?
- Consider bulk & weight and distance to be moved - Can or should assistance be sought?
- 2 people or a team lift - Is the load too heavy or too bulky to lift safely?
- Is it within your lifting capability? - What steps can you put in place to reduce the risk of injury associated with this task?
Correct Lifting Procedure
- Asses the muscular effort required. Make sure the place where the load is to be put is clear of obstructions
- Stand close to the load with feet apart so that you have a balanced stable base for the lifting
- Don't bend your back. Bend at the knees and keep your back as straight as possible.
- Get a firm grip and move the load close to your body.
- Do not jerk the load. Lift it smoothly.
- Always keep your arms and the load close to your body and when turning use your feet rather than twisting.
Hazardous Substances
There are nine classes for identifying hazardous substances and some labels also show the Packing Group (PG) which indicates the degree of danger:
PG I - great danger
PG II - medium danger
PG III - minor danger
Class 1 - Explosives
Substances and articles used to produce explosions or pyrotechnic effects. These include high explosives, fireworks and cartridges.
Class 2 - Gases
These are gases which have been compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure.
Class 2.1 - Flammable gases
Class 2.2 - Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
Class 2.3 - Toxic gases: gases likely to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled
Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
These are liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in suspension, which in most instances can be ignited and will burn.Class 3 PG I - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint less than 23°C and an initial burning point not greater than 35°C Class 3 PG II - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint less then 23°C and an initial burning point greater than 35°CClass 3 PG III - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 23°C or more, but less than or equal to 60.5°CClass 4 - Flammable Solids
Class 4.1 - Flammable solids, self-reactive and related substances and desensitized explosives - solids easily ignited and readily combustible.Class 4.2 - Substances liable to spontaneous combustion.Class 4.3 - Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water.Class 5 - Oxidizers
Class 5.1 - Oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide)Class 5.2 - Organic peroxides (liquid or solid)Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances
These are poisonous and infectious substances (excluding toxic gases). Class 6.1 - Toxic substances. These are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.Class 6.2 - Infectious substances. These are substances containing viable micro-organisms that are known or believed to cause disease in humans or animals.Class 7 - Radioactive Substances
These emit ionizing radiation.Class 8 - Corrosives
These are substances (either solids or liquids) which will damage living tissue, goods or equipment on contact, by chemical action. Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
These are substances and articles which have potentially dangerous properties that are relatively minor.
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