Management of Manual Handling in Construction Presented by Dave Carney (Information sourced from HSE)
45,000 case of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), of which just under a third were new conditions
What are Musculoskeletal Disorders? Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the human body's movement or musculoskeletal system (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.).
HSE s Construction Sector Plan
Priorities within the Sector Plan
The age old question! What is the maximum weight an employee is allowed to lift according the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992? Answer 25KG Answer 20KG Answer There is no maximum weight stated in the regulations
Source L23 Guidance on MH Regs
The Regulations require employers 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 can t be avoided; reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Reasonably practicable? Reasonably practicable means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the real risk in terms of money, time or trouble. However, you do not need to take action if it would be grossly disproportionate to the level of risk.
What can be done to help prevent manual handling injuries? Answer: In simple terms, the main thing is a risk assessment, though there are other considerations: Firstly, does the load need to be moved at all? If so, can it be moved mechanically? Can it be moved using a handling aid, such as a pallet truck, an electric or hand-powered hoist, or a conveyor?
What factors contribute to manual handling risk? Task Individual Capability Load Environment.
Case Study: Moving plasterboard
Manual Handling Considerations & Solutions / Equipment.
Blocks laying above head height
Blocks laying above head height
Block laying - general Specify blocks less than 20kg Deliver close to the point of use and keep dry Prevent work above shoulder height or at feet level Adjust scaffold height and use spot boards.
Structural steel beam installation
Handling aids beam trolleys
Handling aids beam lift
Handling aids - beams
Handling aids
Handling aids
Plasterboard on ceilings x Use a panel lifter
Reduce manual handling Rather than carrying boards upstairs
can a letter box system be used
..or load out on floor required?
Other handling solutions
Kerbs use mechanical handling X Photo courtesy of Loughborough University
Paving use mechanical handling
Block laying handling aids
Using vacc lift Window installation - external
Window installation - internal
Handling aid
Handling aids
Handling aids
Plasterboard Handling
Size Type Weight 12.5mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Wallboard 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Fireline 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Fireline 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Soundbloc 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Soundbloc 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Duraline 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Duraline Common Board Weights
Size Type Weight 12.5mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Wallboard 23kg 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Fireline 34kg 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Fireline 42kg 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Soundbloc 36kg 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Soundbloc 45kg 15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Duraline 40kg 15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Duraline 50kg Common Board Weights
MH Training (Source HSE L23 Guidance) In determining the appropriate steps to reduce risk regard shall be had in particular to knowledge & training. The HSW Act and Management Regulations require you to provide your employees with health and safety information and training.
MH Training Courses Such information is likely to include advice on: manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur; how to carry out safe manual handling, including good handling technique; appropriate systems of work for the individual s task and environment; safe use of lifting and handling aids; practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainee is not doing safely.
Summary Remember it s the duty of the Employer to consider the risk of injury to an Employee. A Safe System of Work must always be established. Just leaving it for the Employee to struggle is not acceptable.
Thank You For Listening & Do You Have Any Questions?