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Manual handling
Manual handling means lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing and pulling. It is a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as lower back pain, joint injury and repetitive strain injury. It is the single most common cause of injury at work in many industries, from construction to offices. In the UK an estimated 526,000 workers in 2013 to 2014 suffered from MSDs caused or made worse by work.
The risk depends on:
- the weight of the load: generally, the heavier it is, the higher the risk
- its size and shape: awkward loads are worse than small ones that are easy to grip
- posture: awkward postures, or lifting while seated, increase the risk
- the distance: the higher, lower or further you reach, the higher the risk
- how you move: twisting or reaching over
- how often you handle: repeated handling adds to the risk
- the environment: uneven floors, or carrying between levels
- the person's capability: strength, height and reach differ
When you assess manual handling, think about four things, which can be remembered as TILE:
| Factor | Question |
|---|---|
| Task | Does the job involve twisting or reaching while lifting? What needs to change? |
| Individual | Does the person's training or history of back problems make the task less safe? |
| Load | Is the weight, size or shape a problem, for example hard to grip? |
| Environment | Are there objects in the way or uneven surfaces? |
Noise
There are two main causes of hearing damage:
- The long term, cumulative effect of loud noise. This is not simply about being in a noisy room. It is a slow effect that builds over time and cannot be reversed.
- Exposure to a single loud bang or extreme noise, which can cause temporary or permanent loss of hearing, even deafness. Quarry workers, miners and the military can be at risk from sudden blasts.
Unwanted noise can also distract and stress people, especially in work that needs attention to detail. As a rough guide, if the general noise is so loud that you cannot hear a normal conversation at two metres, you probably need to act.
As a duty holder, find out how bad the problem is. A competent person should measure the noise and make a noise map. Consider the length of time people spend in an area as well as the loudness, since a quieter noise for a long time can do as much damage as a louder noise for a short time. Controls include systems of work that limit exposure time, quiet areas for breaks, sound proof enclosures, quieter machines and hearing protection. If people are regularly exposed above the action level, consider health surveillance.
Encourage your team to work with you on noise, to check their exposure away from work (noisy hobbies damage hearing as much as noisy work), and to wear ear plugs or defenders that fit, suit the type of noise and are clean and undamaged.
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.