MANUAL HANDLING TILE OR TILEO | GET YOUR FREE RISK ASSESSMENT

TILE MANUAL HANDLING

Risk factors leading to musculoskeletal injury stem from 'manual handling'. Giving employees the right information and training will not only help avoid musculoskeletal injury at work, but should hopefully help them in their normal everyday life.  

How often do we wake in the morning and feel our back has already done an entire day’s work or find cuts and bruises on our hands? These are normally signs of repeated and awkward moves made or that our body was cold or simply that we did not feel it when we brushed against or lifted something sharp the previous day. Exactly the same injuries can happen at work, only there you should be protected from these hazards.

TILE Risk Assessment

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Manual Handling Injuries

Injuries can occur in any workplace. From a postman delivering parcels, to clerical staff working in an office or just simply leaning to pick something up from the floor. When risk assessing manual handling, it is recommended that you consult with your employees and or their representatives who know the risk in their workplace from personal experience. They can then likely recommend an alternative way to carry out the task or find a solution, together with their managers.

Suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) often result in injuries to neck and upper limbs, lower limbs and back pain. The manual handling regulations (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992) require the employer to:

• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
• Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that cannot be avoided
• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably
  practicable.

They are further required to provide appropriate training and willingness to maintaining it on a

regular basis. Ideally the workplace should be designed and organised to avoid manual handling or at least reduce it as far a reasonably possible by using mechanical or automated lifting equipment.

Five things to look out for in a manual handling risk assessment

1. The task

Ask yourself what does your task involve, in order to get the job done. Can the risk of back injury be reduced as far as reasonably possible? Does the task consist of twisting, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, positioning the load, sudden movements, not enough rest or recovery periods during moving, team handling or seated work? Can your job be designed to reduce all of the above movements, for example can a lifting aid be used? Can the workplace layout be designed to expand effectiveness? Can twisting and stooping be reduced and can lifting loads from floor level or raising them above the shoulders be avoided?

Avoid repetitive movements and reduce carrying loads over distances. Bear in mind that pushing a load is better for your body than pulling. Placing the body under continuous awkward strain is also hazardous and can trigger onset of injury whilst carrying out load moving tasks.

2. The individual

Special attention must be given to the following category. People under 18, expecting or a young
mother, people with disabilities or who suffer from known or unknown health problems? It is
important that an individual knows their own strength and weaknesses. A person might appear very strong, but may perhaps suffer from a known or unknown chronic pain conditions and should not be made to carry heavy loads. In any case, employees should make their employer aware of any back pain history they might have had or still suffer from or have ongoing treatment for which could compromise their medical advice.

3. The load

First assess the load to be handled. If not labelled with information such as weight and content you need to establish if the load is heavy, difficult to grip, sharp, hot, cold and is its content likely to move. Arrange with suppliers prior, if possible, to individually label all boxes with weight and content in a conspicuous place. When attempting to lift, stand as close to the load as possible. Feet must be apart and one foot a little forward pointing always in the direction of where you need to move the load. Bend your knees and keep your back and head as straight as possible. When lifting always remember to keep the load to your body as close as possible.It is a guide only that men can carry 20-25kg and women 12-16kg. As previously mentioned, it all depends on the individual circumstances if they can or should lift loads (see INDG143(rev3)). If a load can be pushed rather than pulled then this lessens the stress on your back.

4. The environment

Assess the environment you work in and where the load has to be moved to. Do you have to carry the load over different floor levels, is the floor dry, uneven, wobbly or even slippery and is there plenty or limited space on either side? Depending on the situation the lift might have to involve a two man lift or it would result in an awkward body posture and make carrying or holding the load safely more difficult or take even longer. Different temperatures can affect the body in various ways, especially during heatwaves (a period of a few weeks when the weather is much hotter than usual), where hands may swell or feel sweaty and gripping becomes difficult. Lack of fluid intake in heat could result in the body tiring faster. Cold temperatures can also affect the body. It is recommended to warm and loosen up the body with a few exercises before starting a manual handling task in cold environments. Gripping can otherwise become difficult and lifting or reaching can have a strain on your back. Always ensure that there is sufficient light and you can clearly see what the task involves and where you need to head. Remove any obstacles from the intended direction of transfer.

5. Other Factors

Ensure clothes worn by employees do not hinder them whilst carrying out manual handling e.g. getting tangled or torn, which can become a risk to the individual. PPE (personal protective equipment) should be made available for manual handling. By wearing the correct PPE, such as gloves, it will protect from injuries such as cuts and punctures and safety shoes against foot injuries.

Manual handling acronym TILE or TILEO:

TILE or indeed TILEO is a simple acronym to help remember the manual handling safety process.

T - Task
I - Individual
L - Load
E - Environment
or
T – Task
I - Individual
L - Load
E - Environment
O – Other Factors

Refresh employees' memory by regularly providing training throughout the year. This can come in form of group training, toolbox talks or online self-training through a company portal e.g. TAM, shared drive or others. Do remember though, that all employees must sign and date their sign off sheet for the training they have received.

HRS Management provides the following health and safety trainig:

Online compliance training: - Cost effective and time efficient; easy to understand with access to online support material. Easy-to-use platform, which means it is an everywhere learning tool and not limited by place or time. 

Face-to-face compliance training: Choose your place of training and we will be there. Our training stimulates communication, helps to build trust and creates strong client relationships. It boosts staff committment, creativity and loyalty. By providing practical demonstrations, these courses improve understanding of crucial responsibilities. Tailored to your business needs, this will enhance brand image and skill enhancement.

For more information or a demo of any of our online courses, email: bernadette@hrsmanagement.co.uk

Tel: 02038 621 900 - Tel: 01865 587 050