Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Manual Handling is one of the most common causes of injury in the workplace. It accounts for over a third of workplace injuries, but sadly, 75% of injuries caused by manual handling are preventable.

Manual handling describes the action of moving an item or person by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling. But it’s not just a case of ‘pulling something’ due to the weight of the item, although this can be a cause of injury. Injuries can be caused because of the amount of times you have to pick up or carry an item, the distance you are carrying it, the height you are picking it up from or putting it down at (picking it up from the floor, putting it on a shelf above shoulder level) and any twisting, bending stretching or other awkward posture you may get in whilst doing a task.

What’s the maximum weight someone can lift?

There are general guidelines – or maximum weights – for men and women. If applying these, no man should attempt to lift anything heavier than 25kg and a woman’s maximum limit is 16kg. But it’s important to take into account other factors which can change the maximum safe weight – such as how high an object will need to be lifted or a person’s health.

If lifting above shoulder height (such as stocking high shelves) men should not lift items heavier than 10kg and women, 7kg – but this maximum weight drops yet again for objects that need to be held away from the body – 5kg for men and 3kg for women. Employers should carry out risk assessments for all lifting since the safe limit depends on so many variables such as the individual involved, the height that they will be lifting and the distance they will be required to carry the object. Everyone is a different size and we all differ in body strength, so it never safe to assume that just because one person can lift something everyone can.

How to lift safely:

Plan ahead before lifting

Knowing what you’re doing and where you’re going will prevent you from making awkward movements while holding something heavy. Clear a path, and if lifting something with another person, make sure both of you agree on the plan.

Lift close to your body

You will be a stronger, and more stable lifter if the object is held close to your body rather than at the end of your reach. Make sure you have a firm hold on the object you are lifting, and keep it balanced close to your body.

Feet shoulder width apart

A solid base of support is important while lifting. Holding your feet too close together will be unstable, too far apart will hinder movement. Keep the feet about shoulder width apart and take short steps.

Bend your knees and keep your back straight.

Practice the lifting motion before you lift the object, and think about your motion before you lift. Focus on keeping you spine straight. Raise and lower to the ground by bending your knees.

Tighten your stomach muscles.

Tightening your abdominal muscles will hold your back in a good lifting position and will help prevent excessive force on the spine.

Lift with your legs

Your legs are many times stronger than your back muscles. Again, lower to the ground by bending your knees, not your back. Keeping your eyes focused upwards helps to keep your back straight.

If you’re straining, get help

If an object is too heavy, or awkward in shape, make sure you have someone around who can help you lift.

Take a look at our fact sheet, What’s so Dangerous about Manual Handling? for more information. If you need advice or training in manual handling or moving and handling people, drop us an email or call 0333 321 0131.

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The Systems Approach

The Systems Approach

ISO9004:2009 is the guidance document for ISO9001. It explains the paragraphs of the standard in reasonably plain English and takes the implementation of the standard beyond compliance.

It’s not only an important standard for anyone implementing the ISO9001 quality standard, it also provides some really useful guidance for anyone who just wants to look at their business with fresh eyes and improve performance.

The standard defines eight key quality management principles that are fundamental to the success of any business:

  • Customer focus
  • Leadership
  • Involvement of people
  • Process approach
  • System approach to management
  • Continual improvement
  • Decision making based on facts
  • Mutually beneficial supplier relationships

Each month we take one of the principles and look at the key benefits and how they can be applied in any business.

Principle 5 – Systems Approach

Identifying, understanding and managing interrelated processes as a system contributes to the organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its objectives

Applying the ISO9004 principles of system approach to management should lead to:

  • Structuring a system to achieve the organisation’s objectives in the most effective and efficient way.
  • Understanding the interdependencies between the processes of the system.
  • Structured approaches that harmonize and integrate processes.
  • Providing a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities necessary for achieving common objectives and thereby reducing cross-functional barriers.
  • Understanding organisational capabilities and establishing resource constraints prior to action.
  • Targeting and defining how specific activities within a system should operate.
  • Continually improving the system through measurement and evaluation.

Key benefits:

  • Integration and alignment of the processes that will best achieve the desired results.
  • Ability to focus effort on the key processes.
  • Providing confidence to interested parties as to the consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.

 

To find out more about the principles of good quality management and how it can help your business drop us an email or call us on 0333 321 0131.

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