Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most frequent workplace injuries. They cause discomfort in your joints, muscles, and bones.

To keep employees safe, moving & handling training is essential. This instructs individuals how to correctly lift and move heavy objects in order to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders or other injuries.

Lifting and Moving Heavy Objects

Avoiding back and lifting injuries is easier if you take the time to learn proper techniques. This is especially crucial if your work environment involves regularly lifting or moving heavy objects.

Lifting and moving heavy objects is a common task in many occupations, yet it can cause severe back and neck pain if done incorrectly. Adopting safe lifting techniques not only reduces the risk of injury but it also strengthens your core muscles and other stabilizing muscle groups.

Before you begin lifting an object, it is important to decide how much weight you can safely handle. This will enable you to determine if the object is too large for you or requires assistance. Furthermore, make sure there aren't any loose parts on the item as these could shift during transport or affect its distribution of weight.

When lifting and moving an object, always stand in front of it with a wide base of support (feet at least shoulder width apart). Doing this will increase your capacity to lift safely and reduce back strain.

If you're not sure how to position yourself for a successful lift, ask your supervisor or another employee. A common technique involves bending your knees, squatting, and using your legs' strength to lift an object.

You may want to bring a friend along who can assist with lifting an object. This is especially beneficial if the item being lifted is liquid-based or there's any chance they might shift during transit.

In addition to making sure the load is balanced, it's also essential to consider your stance and breathing. Holding your breath or bracing while lifting can decrease oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain, leading to dizziness or fatigue.

Musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace are a serious public health concern that costs employers and society an estimated $1 trillion annually. Most injuries to this area occur in the back, neck, and shoulders; however, other parts of the body like arms or hands can also be affected. As such, it's essential that employees understand these risks and take measures to reduce their likelihood of experiencing MSDs.

Posture

Manual handling is one of the leading causes of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace, with estimates by HSE that 25.7 million working days were lost due to these injuries between 2016 and 2017.

These injuries may present with symptoms such as pain, stiffness or soreness in muscles, joints or back. Furthermore, they cause significant absences from work which leads to lost productivity and an increase in economic costs for society.

However, there are several steps you can take to minimize your chances of experiencing these issues. These include conducting risk assessments, taking regular breaks and learning about proper posture.

Begin your manual handling process assessment by conducting a risk assessment. Doing this will enable you to identify potential hazards that could put employees at risk of injury.

Once you've identified these hazards, it's time to find ways to reduce the likelihood of injury for your workers. To do this, identify the primary hazards, review and update your assessment, discuss them with employees, and implement specific risk control measures that can help decrease injury risks.

To reduce manual handling injuries, the first step you can take is to adopt a stable posture when lifting and moving heavy objects. Doing this will protect the muscles in your back or neck from getting injured.

Are you uncertain about how to stay stable when lifting? Consider taking a training course in manual handling. This will teach you proper and safe lifting techniques, helping prevent injury and costly absenteeism from your business.

A stable posture will also prevent your body from twisting or bending while lifting, which could cause injury to muscles and joints in your back and neck. To keep yourself stable while moving the load, keep your core muscles tight and look straight ahead for support.

Research has generally indicated that manual handling training does not have a major impact on MSDs, however, it should be remembered that any benefits cannot be fully attributed to its educational components alone. Furthermore, studies evaluating physical exercise's effect on MSDs require high-quality randomized control trials with enough sample sizes so any beneficial effects can be sustained over time.

Remaining Stable

It is essential to stay stable when lifting and moving heavy objects. Doing so can help avoid injury as well as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

To stay stable, ensure you are in a firm and secure position. Avoid twisting your back or leaning sideways as this places additional strain on your spine and increases the risk of injuries.

When lifting, keep the load close to you and move it gradually and smoothly. Doing this will improve both your strength and stability.

When transporting heavier loads, use mechanical aids like pallet jacks and trolleys. This will reduce your lifting effort and the potential risk of injuries; however, it is still important to practice safe manual handling techniques.

When working alone, it's ideal to maintain a neutral and steady posture with the load close by. This will increase your strength and decrease the chance of strains or sprains.

Maintaining your legs and hips in line will also assist with stability when lifting. Flexing those same legs and hips with balanced weight is much simpler than leaning forward or bending at the back.

When lifting, it is recommended to take short steps and keep your feet shoulder-width apart, which will build leg strength and enable you to lift and carry heavier loads.

Remember, if you do not possess enough strength or stamina to lift something heavy, don't attempt it!

To prevent accidents and injuries, the College has the policy to eliminate hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; assess their risks; and implement measures to reduce these as far as is reasonably practicable.

The College has a team of Manual Handling Assessors appointed by the Head of the Department to support this initiative, in coordination with the Departmental Safety Officer and in accordance with local arrangements.

Manual handling assessors have the responsibility of raising awareness about the hazards associated with manual handling in their departments, recognizing any incidents or near misses related to manual handling and making recommendations for improvements to procedures and practices. Furthermore, they must complete a risk assessment and suggest any further training or supervision that might be needed within their team.

Taking Breaks

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent occupational injuries in the workplace. Unfortunately, they can also lead to other issues, such as mental health challenges.

These conditions can be challenging to diagnose and treat, so it's essential that you take action before they become severe or disabling - particularly for the lower back, neck and arms.

Many of these issues arise from poor manual handling practices, which can be prevented by instructing workers in proper lifting techniques and using mechanical/lifting aids when possible.

One way to prevent these issues is by taking breaks while lifting and moving heavy objects. Doing this gives the body a chance to rest from strain and fatigue.

When taking breaks, try to maintain your spine straight and shoulders relaxed. Frequent bending or twisting puts strain on the lower back, increasing the likelihood of injury.

To reduce the risk of these injuries, lift items with your legs instead of your back. Doing so can also help protect against sprains, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Furthermore, proper posture when lifting is essential. Neglecting to do so may cause muscle tension and lead to various ailments such as back, neck and shoulder discomfort.

Avoid this by maintaining proper posture, exercising, and stretching muscles before and after lifting. Doing so can also help protect against musculoskeletal disorders and other workplace injuries.

Another way to prevent injuries is by making your workplace safe and tidy. Unclean workplaces have been identified as a significant risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

A thorough safety audit can guarantee your workplace is free from hazards and risks, including improper manual handling practices. Furthermore, a safety inspection helps identify any potential problem areas and resolve them before they lead to an accident.

Schools and workplaces alike must implement manual handling protocols to avoid injuries. Doing so not only protects your staff and students from harm, but it can also protect your business from legal repercussions. Furthermore, providing a secure environment for employees and students is part of your moral obligation - which is why manual handling training is so essential.