Page 190 - IGC BOOK

Lifting aids take the stress and physical effort away from the individual. Work routines and
activities may be changed or amended to reduce the instances where high-risk activities are
carried out.

The general principles of reducing the risk by controlling the task:
• Use appropriate equipment designed to assist with lifting/handling
• Make amendments to the workplace layout to reduce high-risk movements such as twisting
and stooping
• Improve efficiency in the workplace b/ introducing changes to layout and processes.
• Avoid lifting from floor level
• Avoid lifting above shoulder height
• Vary Work routines
• Reduce the activities which require repetitive handling; and
• Push rather than pull.

Automation and mechanisation will considerably reduce the risk of injury, but it must be
remembered that introducing equipment will introduce new hazards into the workplace which
may require a risk assessment

Examples of equipment to reduce manual handling risks would include wheeled buckets
cleaning troll leys and conveyor systems.
Bodily force is still used when using mechanical equipment, but
the energy expended is more efficiently used, which is why it is an
essential control method.

Mechanical lifting equipment designed to reduce the risk from
manual handling include:

• pallet trucks
• hoists

• cranes
• Passenger carrying lifts

• Forklift trucks.

Environment
A safe working environment is critical in providing safe manual handling Changes of levels
present a risk and low work surfaces or restricted headroom will cause people to adopt a
stooping stance and the problems it brings. Fixtures and fittings as well as furniture may, cause
people to have to twist excessively to move about the workplace, and constricted corridors, poor
storage areas and narrow gangways will hinder the movement and manoeuvring of bulk y loads.

The general principles of controlling the risks presented by the work environment:

• Make the workplace obstruction-free to allow a full range of movement

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 6 – Musculoskeletal 14
Health