Health and Safety for Landbased Industries Session 7

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Aims of the session

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

1. Understand the Principles of and techniques for manual handling.
2. Discuss the consequences of not following:
   • Legislative requirement
   • Safe lifting techniques
   • Use of mechanical aids
   • Manual handling risk assessments
3. Explain the potential implications of poor manual handling:
   • back injury,
   • dropped and damaged goods/equipment

Introduction to manual handling on a farm

Incorrect manual handling is a major cause of back, neck and limb problems which, according to the HSE, affect 80% of all those who work in agriculture.

More than one third of over-three-day injuries (to be reported under RIDDOR regulations) reported each year to the HSE are the result of manual handling.

Many such injuries can be prevented if people adopt the correct procedure for handling loads.

It is not just the weight of objects that are handled, but their size, shape and available grip, and the frequency of the task.

Is manual handling part of a risk assessment?

As part of a risk assessment it is useful to complete a separate form for identifying the risks associated with manual handling, if the risk is considered to place the worker at risk of injury.

How do we start assessing manual handling risk?

First ask the question...

Can the manual handling task be avoided by:

• Changing work procedures?
• Rearranging storage areas?
• Using machinery instead of using your body?

If the answers to the above are ‘No’, then further information is required.

First Question to ask...

What is the state or type of load to be maneuvered?

• Heavy
• Bulky and of awkward shape Large
• Liable to shift
• Has sharp edges
• Slippery
• Hot or cold to touch
• Poor available grip

Second question to ask...

What does the task involve?

Third question...

Could the risks be reduced by any of the following:

• Ordering smaller sizes or weights of the goods?
• Dividing load into smaller loads?
• Using packaging material to protect the sharp edges and to compensate for temperature extremes?
• Using another worker to give assistance?
• Using some mechanical means such as trolley, front-end loader etc? Changing the procedures?
• Using PPE?
• Storing product close to where you use them?
• Use storage buildings that allow easy access for mechanical handlers?

Fourth question...

Has the workforce been given manual handling training?

It is important to know if the worker been given training in:

• Lifting techniques
• Use of mechanical aids such as forklift truck, Manitou telescopic handler.

Question five to ask...

Are there any environmental constraints, which might increase risk factor, and how can they be reduced?

Examples might include:

• Uneven, slippery floors
• Poor lighting
• Space constraints
• Stairs steps or ladders to negotiate

Last question to ask...

Does the operator have any history of muscular or skeletal injuries?

This makes them much more likely to do further damage.

Once these questions have been asked, the task can be assessed as having a High, Medium or Low risk level.

What are some of the manual handling issues in agriculture?

• Handling large and small bales of hay
• Handling bagged products
• Fitting and handling tractor wheels
• Lifting oil and chemical containers
• Handling livestock
• Tractor weights
• Using wheel barrows

What are the basic rules of correct manual handling?

Place yourself correctly – feet flat to the ground, firmly place, astride the load, keeping your body balanced.

Keep your back straight.

Use your leg muscles which are stronger than those in your back Keep load close to your body and use the weight of your body or the load to help the move.

Apply force gradually, after testing the weight, and lift smoothly, rather that using sudden exertion.

If you can, try to make sure that you handle loads in your to knee to shoulder region – stretching to move very high or low loads are more likely to cause problems.

What are some simple solutions?

Use levers where possible e.g tto help position machinery to tractor linkages, supporting gates, moving larger items.

Platforms – straw bales to form a platform for carrying out livestock tasks.

Counterbalances – as used on tailgates of trailers.

Examples of correct lifting techniques

Example 1: Which is the correct way to lift a small bale of hay?

Answers

Incorrect Method:Don't bend your back when lifting.

Correct Method: Stand with leading leg against the bale. Bend knees. Keep back straight. Grasp nearest string with left hand. Right hand grasps the furthest string. Use knee to roll the bale as right hand completes the lift.

Example 2: Lifting a 25kg plastic bag of sheep cake

Answer

Correct Method: Keep body balance. Keep back straight. Place legs apart. Keep weight as near to the body as possible. Avoid lifting a bag from the floor.

Incorrect Method: Don't carry bags over the shoulder – it can increase the risk of back injury. There is a twisting action involved with the lifting and positioning process, and the fact that the shoulders then have an uneven, unbalanced, load increases the risk of disk problems in the back.

Summary

At the end of this session, you are now able to:

1. Discuss the Principles of and techniques for manual handling.
2. Explain the consequences of not following:
   • Legislative requirement
   • Safe lifting techniques
   • Use of mechanical aids
   • Manual handling risk assessments
3. Explain the potential implications of poor manual handling has on back injuries or damaging goods when they are dropped.