Common Workplace Manual Handling Injuries and Best Practices to Prevent Injuries Leave a comment
An activity that involves lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects by hand or bodily force is known as manual handling. Manual handling injuries in the workplace are a prevalent concern across industries. They impact not only the well-being of the employees but also the organizational productivity. Despite technological advancements and safety measures, these injuries occur due to inadequate training, improper lifting techniques, or insufficient ergonomic considerations.
Common workplace manual handling injuries include back injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, strains and sprains, hernias, and hand and foot injuries. Understanding the causes and implications and how to implement effective measures to prevent these injuries is necessary for promoting a safe and healthy work environment. In this article, we delve into these areas of common workplace manual handling injuries, exploring their impact and offering insights into injury prevention strategies. The most common workplace manual handling injuries include the following:
Back Injuries
Back injuries are by far the most frequent consequence of improper manual handling. When improper lifting is frequently to blame, this injury can also be brought on by carrying or pushing a heavy object or slouching or hunching over while doing repetitive work for extended periods. Back injuries can range from being mild and transient to being long-term chronic conditions that impair a person’s ability to work and lead a healthy life if they are not treated.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Symptoms frequently appear gradually and may be brought on or worsened by constant heavy lifting and other manual handling activities. Muscles, joints, and bones are all impacted by musculoskeletal diseases (MSK). Patients frequently experience pain in their back, upper, and lower limbs. Back pain and uncommon autoimmune illnesses are also included in MSK. A quarter of the population suffers from one of more than 200 musculoskeletal conditions. According to the Office for National Statistics, 23.3 million working days were lost in 2021 due to musculoskeletal conditions. The estimated cost of working days lost due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is expected to rise from £2.58 billion in 2017 to £3.43 billion by 2030.
Strains and Sprains
These injuries are frequently brought on by trips, falls, performing repetitive chores for extended period of time, or moving heavy objects. These wounds develop as a result of stretching or tearing of the soft tissues in and around the joints. A sprain occurs when the ligaments are harmed, whereas a strain occurs when the muscles or tendons are harmed. Bruising, soreness around the affected joint, swelling, decreased flexibility, and difficulty moving are a few of the symptoms.
Hernias
Stooping to move a large object may cause one to get a hernia. As a person ages, the danger grows, and surgery is frequently needed to fix the issue. A hernia develops when an internal body part is forced through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall. Hernias come in many different forms. All of them, if untreated, are likely to result in excruciating discomfort or suffering.
Hand and Foot Injuries
Given that manual handling tasks almost always require hand use, it’s no wonder that hand injuries made our list of the top five. Your hands are susceptible to harm when handling hazardous objects or lifting large loads. Additionally prevalent are foot wounds. Although employees rarely lift with their feet, if a significant object is dropped, the feet frequently take the brunt of the blow. When improper manual handling techniques are employed, crushed, bruised, or broken bones can occur in the hands and feet.
Best Practices for Preventing Injuries
We can ensure the safety and well-being of employees by implementing best practices for preventing workplace injuries. Whether lifting heavy objects, moving equipment or performing repetitive tasks, the risk of injury from manual handling activities remains a constant concern. As such, employers and employees must prioritize safety by adhering to established guidelines and adopting proactive measures to mitigate the risk of injuries. A comprehensive approach to injury prevention can significantly reduce the incidence of common workplace manual handling injuries. In this section, we explore the best practices for preventing injuries.
An employer should carry out a manual handling risk assessment to identify the unique dangers to which their employees are subjected throughout a typical workday. This risk assessment should consider any pushing, tugging, lifting, and carrying operations. The assessment’s results should suggest reasonable, proportionate steps to eliminate or drastically lower the risk of accidents resulting from manual handling activities.
Consider implementing some or all of the following best practices to prevent the injuries mentioned above:
Staff Training and Compliance
Ensure that all employees receive sufficient instructions in safe manual handling procedures. Employers should include the pertinent laws and safe handling techniques for a range of circumstances in the training.
Comply with HSE Guidance on Safe Lifting
This changes depending on whether the worker is using lifting equipment or lifting a load by hand. To identify the safest method of manual handling, employers and employees should consider each individual’s capabilities, the type of load, the environment, training, and the work organization.
Reduce the Risk of Injury from Sustained Postures
If your employees must perform repetitive tasks for an extended period, ensure they get regular breaks, use the right tools (such as adjustable seats), and frequently switch between various activities.
Machinery and Equipment
Offer appropriate machinery and equipment. Whenever practical, use mechanical aids to complete tasks that would otherwise need manual handling by an employee. Hoists, for instance, can be utilized to prevent strenuous lifting and pulling.
Activity Levels and Skills
Maintain your activity level. Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining the health of your back. Remind staff about the resources they can use to maintain the health of their backs as part of general knowledge.
As with every area of health and safety, allowing employees to safeguard themselves and their co-workers is the cornerstone of effective practice.
Training Courses
Your staff can take a tutor-led manual handling online training course from 1st Skills Academy, which will educate them on manual handling injuries and what they can do to adopt safe manual handling practices. Manual handling training is an excellent place to start if your employees are unaware of the dangers involved in performing manual handling duties or how to keep themselves safe.
In conclusion, workplace manual handling injuries pose significant risks to employees’ well-being and organizational productivity. From back injuries to strains and sprains, hernias, hand and foot injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders, the spectrum of injuries underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace.
We can mitigate the risks by creating a safer work environment and implementing best practices for injury prevention. We can conduct manual handling risk assessments, provide comprehensive staff training, comply with safety guidelines, and invest in appropriate machinery and equipment. In addition, regular exercises and training programs such as those offered by 1st Skills Academy can empower employees to adopt safe manual handling practices. By embracing these preventive measures, organizations can foster a culture of safety and well-being, ultimately enhancing productivity and employee satisfaction in the workplace.
P.S: This article is an extract from our manual handling training program. We offer both online and live (onsite) manual handling program. You can enroll for our live care certificate and manual handling training here.
