Safe Manual

Handling

Operation

Improving Everyone’s

Health & Safety

What Is Manual Handling?

• Any transporting or supporting of a load by

hand or bodily force

• This includes:

• Lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling,

carrying or moving

• This human effort can be applied indirectly

• Such as hauling on a rope

• Pulling a lever

• Applying a force to manipulate a load

supported on a Spade, Fork or similar

implement

Refresher Session For All The Team

on Lifting And ShiftingIn this session we will be covering the

following:-

• Sufficient understanding and knowledge of Manual Handling, the risks involved and the control measures available.

• Why are safe Manual Handling techniques important?

• Refreshing your knowledge on the best methods for lifting, pushing and pulling items

• The main types of injury caused by poor manual handling

• Using our Values to help us remember correct Manual Handling

• Checking your knowledge with a quick quiz

As you become more confident and lift or move more

and more loads, it’s easy to get into bad habits.

Think

• Before you move an item make sure you have

cleared a space at your destination. Is it too heavy?

Do you know where you are taking it to? Have you

got a good grip of the item?

• Think about your own techniques regularly to make

sure you are still lifting safely, it takes practice.

• It may be that you need to use equipment to enable

you to move items with ease, such as flat-bed

trolleys or steps

Remember

• There is a safe way to use these pieces of

equipment. So make sure that you have had training

on the relevant piece of equipment you intend to use.

• For safety ensure any damage/defects to equipment

are reported so accidents can be avoided

Practical Pointers for Correct

Manual Handling

Consequences of Poor Manual Handling

• Back injuries are the most common

injury suffered in UK workplaces.

• Most of these are caused by incorrect

lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.

• So how can we, at Pets at Home,

try to avoid injury?

Pushing & Pulling

• Where possible try to push rather

than pull, providing you can see over

the top and are able to control steering

and stopping. (Pushing takes less

force than pulling.)

• This will reduce the risk of sustaining

an injury.

• Try to move no faster than walking pace.

This will stop you becoming too tired too

quickly and mean you can stop easily.

Lifting

• When lifting your feet should be apart with one in front of the other to stabilise you as you lift.

• Make sure you keep your head up look

ahead not down once carrying your item.

• If you need to adjust your hold on an item

you are carrying place the item down and

redistribute it rather than whilst carrying it

• If you are in doubt about the weight an

item you need to move and are unsure

whether you can lift it – ask for help.

• As with lifting make sure you are stable

when lowering an item.

• Make sure you lower the item smoothly

to avoid the risk of injury.

Twisting

• Avoid twisting or leaning sideways whilst your

• back is bent.

• Shoulders should be kept level and face the

• same way as your hips.

• Turning by moving your feet is better than

• trying to lift and twist at the same time

Practical Pointers for Correct

Manual Handling

• Here are some lifting and lowering guidelines to assist

you with manual handling. Each section contains a

guideline weight for lifting and lowering in that zone.

• Notice how the amount you can lift, push or pull alters

depending upon the height you are at and differs for

men and women. Working within these guidelines will

help reduce the risk of injury.

• Remember the amount which can be lifted may alter for

certain team members, such as those who may have

previous injuries to take into account or who may be

pregnant.

Task

Review the Task, the way that we organise and carry out the task which might affect our health and safety?

Individual

Take into account the people who are doing the job and how it might affect their health and safety?

Load

Look at the load, size, weight etc this may affect our health and safety?

Environment

Observe the place you work in, it may affect our health and safety when carrying or moving loads?

Safety Checklist

Remember TILE

Planning & Preparation

Do you know where you are taking the item? Have you

made sure there is enough space to put your item down?

Position

Are you balanced correctly? Are you twisting? Are you

reaching? Are you close enough to the item to lift it?

Grip

Have you got a good grip of the item? Are you holding the

Item close to you?

Safe Lifting

Is the item too heavy? Do you need to ask for help or use

equipment?

Moving the Load

Have you checked that the area around you is safe? Are

There other people around you?

Lowering the Load

Are you stretching or bending? Is there space to put your

Item down?

Team

Help each other and point out bad techniques or risks

Safety Checklist

Our Values can help us when thinking about Manual

Handling. In particular:-

We Work as a Team

This is important when lifting large items. Rather than

struggle – ask for assistance.

If you can see another team member trying to lift a large

Item offer to help.

We Get Better Every Day

No matter how pleased we are with what we have

achieved, we all need to think how we can do things better

It Should be Fun

Working at Pets at Home should be enjoyable – so make

sure you follow the guidelines and stay healthy.

Values & Manual Handling

Guidance on how to

Lift Safely

1.Stop and Think

2.Place the feet

3.Get a Firm Grip

4.Don’t Jerk

5. Move the Feet, Keep Close

to the Load

6.Put down, Then adjust

1. If you are unsure of the weight of an item what

should you do?

2. It is better to pull a trolley. TRUE or FALSE

3. What is the recommended weight for a man to lift at

elbow height?

4. What is the most common injury caused by poor manual handling?

5. When should you avoid twisting?

6. How should your feet be placed for lifting and lowering items?

7. What should you do if you notice damage to a piece

of equipment you have used?

8. What is the recommended weight for a woman to lift

at knuckle height?

9. Why does the amount you can lift alter depending

upon the height of the item?

10. Who may the standard weight guidelines

alter for?

Quick Quiz

1. Always ask for help if you are unsure of the weight of an item to prevent the risk of injury i.e. rabbit hutches

2. FALSE – where possible you should always try to push as this takes less force than pulling

3. 20kg close to the body or 10kg if arms are extended

4. Back injuries are the most common injuries caused by poor manual handling

5. You should avoid twisting when the back is bent. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time

6. The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance, alongside the load if it is on the ground (you should be prepared to move your feet during the lifting/lowering to maintain stability)

7. You should always report damage/defects so that accidents can be avoided. Make sure you advise your manager and that a note is put on the equipment so other team members are aware.

8. 16kg close to the body or 10kg if the arms are extended

9. The amount you can lift alters depending upon the height because lifting at these levels exerts more strain. The reduced weight means accidents are prevented

10. Standard weight guidelines may alter for colleagues such

as those with previous injuries, ill health, young or new & expectant mothers.

Answer Sheet for Quick Quiz

Training Record Sign Off Sheet

Name ………………………………………………………………..

Store …………………………………………………………………

Colleague No ……………………………………………………..

Received Safe Manual Handling training

This training record sheet forms part of every colleagues in store training record and file.

This training will be carried out on an annual basis to form part of the overall refresher training that all colleagues receive.

Colleague Signature ……………………………………… Date…………

Manager Signature ……………………………………… Date…………

This sign off sheet should be retained in the colleagues personnel file in store.

Received Practical Pointers & guidance including assess to HSE ‘Getting to grips with manual handling’ (located on

back office)