Estates & Facilities
Manual Handling
Manual Handling Procedures
Manual Handling involves moving any load including lifting, lowering, pushing and pulling and should only be carried out when completely necessary. Before moving any load, please contact the Facilities Department who have been trained in Manual Handling.
The following points should be considered before deciding to carry out manual handling of any description:
- Where possible, mechanical devices should be used to carry out manual handling. The equipment should be appropriate to the task.
- The load to be lifted or moved must be inspected for sharp edges and wet patches.
- When lifting or moving a load with sharp or splintered edges, gloves must be worn.
- The route over which the load is to be lifted should be inspected to ensure it is free of obstructions.
- Do not attempt to lift or move a load which is too heavy to manage comfortably.
- When lifting an object off the ground, assume a squatting position, keeping the back straight. The load should be lifted by straightening the knees, not the back
- Do not attempt to obtain items from shelves which are beyond your reach. A ladder or stepping stool should be used.
- Do not use chairs or any makeshift device for climbing and never climb up the shelves themselves.
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