1

Manual Materials Handling

2

Related Work Activities

• Lifting, pushing or pulling heavy bags

• Carrying large, heavy sacks

• Moving large, heavy drums

• Lifting sheet type objects

• Transferring heavy objects

3

Hazardous Conditions & Unsafe Acts

• Bending from the waist to pick up objects.

• Lifting boxes above the chest.

• Twisting the body to carry a heavy object.

• Lifting objects when in poor physical condition.

4

Potential Outcomes

• Lost work time

• Worker’s compensation claims

• Long-lasting back pain

• Permanent injury

• Permanently disabled

5

Back Injuries Occur From Poor Lifting Technique

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Factors That Contribute to Back Injuries

• Weight of the load lifted

• The range of the lift

• The location of the load in relation to the body

• The size and shape of the load

• The number and frequency of lifts performed

7

What Materials Are Lifted?

• Compact bags

• Compact loads

• Large and heavy bags

• Bulky sacks

• Drums and barrels

• Sheet materials

• Two-person lifts

• Transferring heavy objects

8

Lifting a Compact Bag

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Lowering a Compact Bag

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Remember:

Always keep your back straight when lifting!

11

Lifting a Compact Load

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Lift Objects Close To Body

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14

Lifting Heavy Large Sacks

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Lifting Bulky Sacks

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Lifting Empty Drums and Barrels

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Lifting Sheet Materials

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How should a "two-person lift and stack" be done?

19

20

Transferring Heavy Objects

Pull the material toward you Transfer your weight to the lift side

21

Transferring Heavy Objects

Lift only to required level Shift weight to your other leg

22

Storing Heavy Objects

• Storing heavy objects at waist height will reduce the vertical lifting strain on the body.

23

Material Handling Devices:Hand Trucks

24

Hand Trucks

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Brick & Block Carts

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Brick & Tile Wheelbarrow

27

Hand Truck/Cart Safety

• Work gloves and safety shoes should be worn.

• Check for damaged parts

• Place heavier loads on bottom

• Do not overload

• The operator should push and balance the truck always walking forward.

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Machinery Attachments

29

Machinery Attachment

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Block Lifting Aids

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Keystone Block Lifter

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Versa-Lok Wall Block Lifter

33

Lift Progression With and Without lifter

34

35

36

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Wall Unit Tongs

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Brick Tongs

39

Shoveling: For Your Safety

• Make sure that the terrain you are digging is free of cables and pipes

• If you are not sure, contact utilities for location of cables and pipes prior to digging.

• Wear the proper protective clothing; safety footwear, gloves, long pants if necessary

• Allow for safe distance between people if you are working with other people.

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41

Shoveling and Throwing

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Shoveling RecommendationsShoveling rate 15 scoops per minute for 15

minutes at a time

Shovel load Depends on shoveling rate

<15 lbs for rate of 15 scoops/min

Throw height Should not exceed 4 feet

Throw distance Optimal distance is 3 feet

Reduce load for longer distances

43

Remember:

Lift with your knees and legs ---

Not with your back

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Additional Information

• http://planetfile.objectwareinc.com/pdfs/PLANETSafetyTips2july05.pdf

• http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0200/d000253/d000253.html

• http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0500/d000500/d000500.html

• http://www.ohiobwc.com/downloads/blankpdf/LiftGuideBackStudy.pdf

• http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000101-d000200/d000108/d000108.html