Moving stuff can hurt! MH injury is among the leading causes of time off work (27%) and among the easiest of injuries to suffer. Moving stuff safely is covered by the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, 1992 (MHOR). MH is not only lifting & lowering things, it also covers the distance, degree and frequency of body movement of anything “moved” while at work, including tools, equipment, materials, furniture, containers of chemicals, bags or rubbish, boxes of bits…
Here are 4 rules to keep your loads LITE:
Load: Check the load before you lift. It is not only about weight: it could be awkward, difficult dimensions (large or long); off balance; have an uneven, unstable, or fluid distribution; have smooth or slippery surfaces that reduce grip. Always try to “mechanise” movement where practical by using lifters, dollies, trollies or hand-trucks, etc.
Individual: The capability of the individual must be assessed. Are you too short to reach, not strong enough to lift, pregnant, suffer from any previous injury or strain, or have other health issues that detrimentally effect ability to manually perform a task? Assess your physical capability, condition and limitations before you move stuff.
Task: Master the movements: check if the task requires: lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, twisting, bending, reaching or stretching. Using the right technique and maintaining the correct posture will greatly reduce the risk of injury from each movement. Position, too, affects the risk of injury. Be cautions of items that are high or low, in restricted space or to one side.
Environment: Where is as important as what you move. Weather can adversely affect the surfaces on which you move -or your grip. Check the route is clear: on the ground (trip hazards & uneven ground levels), overhead (cables, trees, signs.), and on route (sufficient space, good lighting, open doors, etc.). Check the destination area, or placement spot, is also clear before you start.
THE RAM SPEAKS
“All RAMS should include a reminder of the LITE/TILE rules and how to avoid muscular/skeletal injury such as strains, sprains, snaps, snags, pulls or pains when moving equipment at work in compliance with the standards set within the MH Regs, ’92 )”
LITE CHECKS
Check the Load: can it be mechanised?
Check Individual Capability & Limitations Check Task Requirements & Movements Check Environmental Restrictions & Affects O’ for a LITE TILE
The “LITE” material is found in the MHOR, Schedule 1 and is sometimes referred to as “TILE” which is just another way to arrange the letters into a helpful mnemonic.
Finally, the Schedule includes an often overlooked 5th factor: “O” for “Other factors” such as any PPE that may hinder movement.
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