A guide to manual materials handling and back safety

Search for:. Close this module. Subscribe to my emails and get link to our highly active Whatsapp Group Never miss any EHS updates and interact with other Safety Professionals across the world. First Name Name. Last Name Surname. Your email johnsmith example. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

Online Courses. All Webinars Alt. Contact Us Phone: E-Mail: info cedengineering. Accepted in:. New Hampshire. New Jersey. New Mexico. New York. Typically, it involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying objects by hand. Loading and unloading trucks, carts, boxes or crates; moving parts or assemblies from one place to another; loading paper to the copier or picking binders from an overhead shelf; lifting patients from a bed or transporting them in a wheelchair are typical MMH activities found in work settings.

Likewise, carrying groceries to the kitchen or garbage cans to the curb, picking up sticks in the yard or mowing the lawn, or simply holding a child in your arms are forms of MMH we encounter at home.

This is by no means an all-inclusive list of MMH tasks. Assessments include not just how many lifts are preformed, but the amount of time there is to rest between lifts. It would be ideal if workers could work at their own pace and have some freedom to take a rest break when they start feeling the effects of fatigue.

However, this option might be impractical. It seems reasonable to incorporate two additional minute breaks, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, in addition to the minute lunch break.

If that schedule is still not feasible, shorter but more frequent breaks can do as well. It is also important that people new to a particular job or task be given time to adjust by allowing them more breaks. When the MMH tasks are done outdoors, the temperature conditions including the humidex in hot weather or wind-chill factor in cold weather have to be monitored very closely.

The objective of pre-placement screening is to try to determine if an individual is likely to be injured by activities of their work. There is limited research available to help determine the effectiveness of these measures. When combined with work design, education and training are an important element in the prevention of injuries. Part of this education and training also includes showing the worker how to actively contribute to the prevention of injuries.

A program should:. Instruction on how to lift "properly" can be a controversial issue. While there are good guidelines there is no single correct way to perform a lift. Because of this fact, on-site, task specific training is essential.

Some general lifting rules include:. Finally, there is an aspect of training that cannot be overlooked if training is to be part of an effective prevention program. Workers should be educated that muscles, tendons and ligaments are not prepared to meet the physical stress of handling tasks when they are not "warmed up.

These injuries can lead to more serious and permanent injury if physically stressful work is continued. Warming up and mental readiness for physically demanding tasks are important for any kind of MMH, but particularly for occasional tasks where the worker is not accustomed to handling loads.

Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. OSH Answers Fact Sheets Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion.

Search all fact sheets: Search.