Manual handling involves transporting or supporting loads through activities like lifting, lowering, pushing and pulling. It is an important regulatory requirement due to the risk of workplace injuries, with a third of injuries caused by manual handling. The document separates myths from facts on manual handling and provides tips for doing it safely such as avoiding lifting loads from the floor or above shoulder height, adopting a stable position, and not twisting or over-reaching with a load.

2. What is Manual Handling
Any Transporting or supporting of a load...
• Lifting
• Lowering
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Carrying

3. Why is manual handling important
• Regulatory requirement
- Health and Safety act 1974
- Manual handling operations 1992
- Management of Health and Safety at work regulations 1999
• Did you know
- Manual handling causes a third of all workplace injuries

4. Separate myths from the Facts
• Men should lift heavier loads than women
• Manual handling is about lifting boxes
• There is a minimum and maximum weight
To be lifted.

5. What to do – Manual Handling
• Avoid manual handling where possible
• Consider using lifting aid

6. Do it right
Before any lifting consider the following:
• Task
• Individual
• Load
• Environment

7. Do it right
• Avoid lifting load from floor level or above shoulder height
• Adopt a stable position
• Reduce the amount of Twisting, stooping and reaching
• Minimise carrying distances
• Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body

8. Do not
• Keep looking down at load after it has been secured
• Lift or handle more than what you can easily manage
• Don’t flex the back any further whilst lifting.