Manual handling involves any activity that uses muscular force to lift, move, or carry objects and can lead to injuries from wear and tear on the body over time. Employers are responsible for implementing manual handling programs that include policies, training, equipment, and listening to employee feedback to prevent injuries. Employees must attend training and follow the proper procedures and policies to support safe manual handling practices.

1. Manual handling &
safety signage
Module 1

2. Manual handling
• Manual handling is any activity involving the use of muscular
force (or effort) to lift, move, push, pull, carry, hold or restrain any
object, including a person or animal. It covers more than lifting
heavy weights and affects more than the back.
• Manual handling also includes the repetitive activity seen in
assembly work; the sustained muscle exertion required to restrain or
support a load; and the effort needed to maintain the fixed postures
that occur in the back and neck while typing.
• Injuries often occur due to wear and tear, accumulated from frequent
periods of manual handling activity that stress the body, such as
repetitive work or heavy lifting. The effects of these injuries often
become more disabling as workers become older.

3. Manual handling
• Employers support manual handling
program through:
– Policy and procedure
– Equipment
– Training
– Counselling
– Report
– Listen and action to feedback from employees
– Amend the above where necessary

4. Manual handling
• Employees support manual handling
program through:
– Attending the training
– Implementing the policy and procedure
– Report any accident
– Provide feedback to the employers

5. Assessing the risk –
manual handling
When conducting a risk assessment of manual
handling tasks the following factors must be taken
into consideration.
• The posture of the worker
• The forces exerted by the worker and any forces exerted on the
worker by the object, person or animal
• Speed of movements by the worker
• Exposure of the worker to vibration; and
• The duration and frequency of the task

6. Assessing the risk –
manual handling
In addition:
• The layout of the work area
• The work environment
• The characteristics of any relevant item; and
• Work organisation and the system of work.

7. Manual handling steps

8. Manual handling
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SBe-
jt6dg

9. Summary
• Understanding manual handling
procedures help avoid injuries at the
workplace.
• All employees are required to behave
according to manual handling procedure.

10. Signage
• To implement OHS, sometimes signage is required to
communicate certain condition to all stakeholders.
• It has to be updated if situation changes so all
stakeholders could receive the correct information from
the signage.
• The message communicated must be reinforced,
otherwise it will confuse the stakeholders.

11. Types of signage
• Mandatory signs
• Danger signs
• Warning signs
• Prohibition signs
• Fire & exit signs
• Hazchem signs
• Emergency signs
• Traffic & vehicle signs
• Construction site signs
• Facility signs

14. Summary
• Signage communicates the safety
situation to all stakeholders.
• All stakeholders must obey the signage.