Handling and Trasporting

Common hazards are the manual movements of the loads and frequent forced or awkward movements of the body, leading, for e.g. to back injuries and severe pains in the hand ,wrist, arm or neck – “repetitive strain injury”
Moving materials mechanically is also hazardous and people can be crushed or struck by material when it falls from a lifting or moving device, or is dislodged from a storage stack.
Every year over 5000 accidents involving transport in the workplace are reported. About 70 of these accidents result in death.
People are knocked over, run over or crushed against fixed parts by powered vehicles ( e.g. LGVs lift trucks and tractors) or by vehicles, plant and trailers which roll away when incorrectly parked. People also fall from vehicles either getting on/off, working at height, or associated with loading/unloading.


Manual Handling

You must:
1. avoid manual handling where there is a risk of injury
2. assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that cant be avoided.
3. reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling.


When lifting:
1. stop and think – plan the lift. Do you need help? Is the area free of obstruction.
2. place the feet – apart, leading leg forward
3. get a firm grip – keep your arms inside the boundary formed by the legs.
4. don’t jerk
5. move the feet – don’t twist the body
6. keep close to the load
7. put down, then adjust


Repetitive Handling

Risk may arise in jobs which involve:

1. gripping, squeezing, or pressing
2. awkward hand or arm movements, e.g. bent wrist
3. repeated, continuous movements which are fast and unvaried or tied to the speed of the machine.
4. awkward, rigid or tense body positions, e.g. unnatural hand positions, outstretched arms, having to lean sideways.


Risks can be prevented by:

1. reducing the level of force required, e.g. by maintaining equipment and by using tools with well-designed handles
2. reducing repetitive movements, e.g by varying tasks, rotating jobs, using power-driven tools, reducing machine pace and introducing rest and recovery time.
3. getting rid of awkward positions by changing the work station or work.


Safe Lifting by Machine

Consider:

1. what you are lifting
2. its weight
3. its center of gravity
4. how to attach it to the lifting machinery
5. who is in control of the lift
6. the safe limits of the equipment
7. rehearsing lifts if necessary
8. use only certified lifting equipment, marked with its safe working load, which is not overdue for examination
9. keep the annual or six-monthly reports of thorough examination as well as any declaration of conformity or test certificates
10. never use unsuitable equipment, e.g makeshift, damaged, badly worn chains shortened with knots, kinked or twisted wire ropes, frayed or rotted fibre ropes
11. never exceed the safe working load or machinery or accessories like chains, slings and grabs. Remember that he load in the legs of a sling increases as the angle between the legs increases.
12. do not lift a load if you doubt its weight or the adequacy of the equipment
13. make sure the load is properly attached to the lifting equipment. If necessary, securely bind the load to prevent it slipping or falling off.
14. before lifting an unbalanced load, find out its center of gravity. Raise it a few inches off the ground and pause there will be little harm if it drops
15. use packing to prevent sharp edged of the load from damaging slings and do not allow tackle to be damaged by being dropped, dragged from under loads or subjected to sudden loads
16. when using jib craned, make sure any indicators for safe loads are working properly and set correctly for the job and the way the machine is configured
17. outriggers should be used where necessary
18. when using multi-slings make sure the sling angle is taken into account
19. have a responsible slinger or banksman and use a recognized signaling system.


Safe Stacking

Do :

1. stack on a firm, level base. Use a properly constructed rack when needed and secure it to the floor or wall if possible.
2. use the correct container, pallet or rack for the job. Inspect these regularly for damage and reject defective ones.
3. ensure stacks are stable, e.g. “key” stacked packages of a uniform size like a brick wall so that no tier is independent of another; chock pipes and drums to prevent rolling and keep heavy articles near floor level.


Do not:

1. exceed the safe load of racks, shelved or floors
2. allow items to stick out from stacks or bins into gangways
3. climb racks to reach upper shelves – use a ladder or steps
4. lean heavy stacks against walls
5. de-stack by throwing down from the top or pulling out from the bottom


Safe Transport

You must:

1. lay your workplace out so that pedestrians are safe from vehicles
2. train your drivers


Do:

1. separate vehicles and pedestrians where practical
2. mark safe crossings
3. control pedestrians access to loading bays and delivery points
4. ensure drivers can see clearly and pedestrians can be seen and be aware of vehicles. Where necessary consider the use of visibility aids, high visibility clothing, audible alarms, and lighting, both of the workplace and on vehicles
5. make sure visiting drivers follow your rules
6. designate level parking areas and leave vehicles in safe state – apply the handbrake, switch off the engine and remove the keys. Chock the wheels as necessary, e.g when trailers are parked overnight
7. check vehicles daily and have faults rectified promptly
8. supervise vehicle movements – particularly when reversing and near blind corners. Always use recognized signals.
9. load and unload materials safely. E.g. ensure safe access onto vehicles for loading and sheeting. Materials should be safely secured against possible movements.
10. avoid tipping on soft ground or in high winds


Do not:

1. let unauthorized people drive. Keep keys secure when vehicles are not in use.
2. let passengers ride on the vehicle unless it is designed for this.