Manual handling of loads: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted 14 edits by 212.219.116.29 identified as vandalism to last revision by Dirkbb. (TW) |
←Replaced content with 'MUG' |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
MUG |
|||
'''Manual handling of loads''' (MHL), '''manual material handling''' (MMH) or '''manutention''' (in Australia<ref>http://www.manutention.org.au/HomePage.htm</ref>) involves the use of the human body to lift, lower, fill, empty, or carry loads.<ref name=mmh>Cheung, Zin, Rick Hight, Ken Jackson, Jitan Patel, and Fran Wagner, (2007). [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-131/ Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling] DHHS Publication 2007-131. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved October 7, 2008.</ref> The load can be animate (a person or animal) or inanimate (an object). Most manufacturing or distribution systems require some manual handling tasks. Though decreasing lately, the rate of workers in the [[EU-25]] that report carrying or moving heavy loads, is still high (34.5 %), reaching 38.0 % in the [[EU-10]]. When performed incorrectly or excessively, these tasks may expose workers to physical risk factors, fatigue, and injury.<ref name=mhia>Material Handling Industry of America, (2001). [http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cicmhe/publications Publications & resources: 2001 progress in material handling practice]. Retrieved October 7, 2008.</ref> A variety of MMH techniques and tools exist to alleviate these potential problems.<ref name=spine>Triano, John J., and Nancy C. Selby, (2006, September 27). Manual material handling to prevent back injury. Spine-Health.com. Retrieved October 7, 2008.</ref> |
|||
==Manual handling hazards== |
|||
Any job that involves heavy labor or manual material handling may include a high risk for injury on the job. Manual material handling entails lifting, but also usually includes climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose the risk of [[Back injury|injury to the back]].<ref name=spine /> MMH work contributes to a large percentage of the over half a million cases of musculoskeletal disorders reported annually in the United States. Musculoskeletal disorders often involve strains and sprains to the lower back, shoulders, and upper limbs. Potentially injurious tasks may involve bending and twisting, repetitive motions, carrying or lifting heavy loads, and maintaining fixed positions for a long time. MMH under these conditions can lead to damaged muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.<ref name=mmh /> |
|||
==Safe manual handling techniques== |
|||
Ergonomic intervention in manual handling can decrease injuries and increase worker productivity.<ref name=mmh /> |
|||
===Lifting=== |
|||
Lifting containers can strain the lumbar vertebrae when done improperly. Ergonomic lifting techniques involve keeping loads close to the body and near the person's [[Center of mass|center of gravity]], using diagonal foot positions, and moving loads at waist height rather than directly from the floor.<ref name=spine /> |
|||
===Climbing=== |
|||
When climbing with a load, safe material handling includes maintaining contact with the ladder or stairs at three points (two hands and a foot or both feet and a hand). Bulky loads would require a second person or a mechanical device to assist.<ref name=spine /> |
|||
===Pushing and pulling=== |
|||
Manual material handling may require pushing or pulling. Pushing is generally easier on the back than pulling. It is important to use both the arms and legs to provide the leverage to start the push.<ref name=spine /> |
|||
===Pivoting=== |
|||
When moving containers, handlers are safer when pivoting their shoulders, hips and feet with the load in front at all times rather than twisting their back. The lower back is not designed to torque or for repetitive twisting.<ref name=spine /> |
|||
==External links== |
|||
*[http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/mmh.pdf Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling, from Cal/OSHA] |
|||
*[http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/73 Hazards and risks associated with manual handling of loads in the workplace] [[European Agency for Safety and Health at Work]] (EU-OSHA) |
|||
*[http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/worksafe/PDF/Codes_of_Practice/Code_manual_handling.pdf Manual handling code of practice WA] |
|||
*[http://www.examinetics.com/ProfessionalResources/ManualHandling/ Manual Handling pathfinder] |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{reflist}} |
|||
[[Category:Health]] |
|||
[[Category:Ergonomics| ]] |
|||
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]] |
|||
Revision as of 14:09, 15 March 2010
MUG