Lifting at work

[sammd]

I'm sure there must be some Health & Safety legislation on this. I do a part time job at the weekends. It's really good fun but some of it involves lifting heavy boxes (only a tiny part). We have to lift heavy things down steep stairs (in a chain so we take something from the person above and pass it to the person below). I think it's when passing to the person below, bending over, holding the box...but the day after i have a really bad back. Is there anything that says we shouldn't be doing this? There's no other way to get the boxes downstairs though.

[loulou80]

i'd ask to have a look at the health and safety procedure book or see your doctor for advice.

[mullein3]

In the Health and Safety legislation there is a process called 'manual handling'.This states that the company have a duty to insruct you how to carry things properly and the consequences of incorrect lifting could be a bad back. The training goes through a process as the individual should consider what they are lifting and if your opinion it is too heavy or dangerous you should not be doing it. There is bound to be legislation under the Health and Safety regulations in relation to this subject, I suggest you look into it.

[Scotman84]

In my last job, we all had to attend a 'lifting' course - just a couple of hours. I don't know if that was imposed by legislation, but it's certainly a 'get-out' for employers if you injure yourself.

[len_1]

mullein is spot on. The Health and safety legislation is relavant to EVERYONE at work. Manual handling is def part of it. You must be shown the correct proceedure.

[len_1]

off the prompt card at my workplace:

Manual handling
Over one third of all accidents reported each year arise from poor manual handling techniques - the moving or supporting of loads by hand or bodily force incorrectly.

Many such accidents cause back injury, although arms, feet and other areas are always vulnerable.

Many manual handling injuries build up over a period of time through the adoption of repetitive poor techniques.

If there is a risk of manual handling injury/accident through the work that you do, a risk assessment should have been conducted and risk management measures will be in place to ensure your safety:

[len_1]

What you should know

check whether an item needs to be manually handled at all - explore mechanical; automated; or other alternatives;
if manual handling has to take place, the techniques involved should be properly assessed to reduce the risk of injury as far as practicable;
ensure you are properly trained before you carry out manual handling;
establish if you can make the load lighter, easier to grip, more stable;
consider your local conditions - floor surface, lighting, noise, temperature;
consider less restrictive clothing or the use of PPE for improved handling;
consider the size and weight of the object and the distance to be moved.

[len_1]

When handling:

adopt a good posture - when lifting from low level, bend knees;
do not kneel or over-flex knees;
keep back straight;
for a long lift (e.g. floor to shoulder height) try to rest load safely mid-way on a table or bench to change grip;
lean forward slightly over load, if necessary, to get a good grip;
keep shoulders level and facing in same direction as hips;
get a firm grip, it must be secure;
keep arms within profile formed by the legs;
a hook grip is less tiring than straight fingers;
keep feet apart; leading leg as far forward as is comfortable;
loosen tight clothing;
if you need to vary grip during lifting process, do so as smoothly as possible;
keep the load as close to your body for as long as possible;
keep heaviest side of load closest to your body;
lift smoothly, maintain control of load;
do not twist your body/trunk when turning to the side;
bend knees, keep back straight and shoulders in same direction as hips when putting load down;
If the load is large, awkward or heavy ask for help.
If more than one person is lifting a load, agree who is going to give the instructions to lift, lower etc.
If positioning of load is critical, put load down first and slide into place if possible.

[brawburd]

Don't take chances sammd. I did many years ago working in residential care (before the moving and handling legislation/ risk assessment directives) and I pay for it to this day with damage to my neck and back. The issue of how to get the boxes down the stairs is your employer's; your own safety should be your focus.

[sammd]

Thanks everyone. I think i'm gonna have to avoid doing the stairs bit, i don't want to do any permanent damage. I assume it hurts the day after coz i'm using muscles that aren't usually used, but still, i shouldn't be leaning forwards carrying something heavy. I assume that a bit of lifting on flat ground is alright (i know how to pick it up correctly).