Manual Handling and Workplace Safety

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Questions and Answers

What is involved in the design of work organisation to prevent manual handling injuries?

Only workstation layout and plant equipment

Supervision and instruction only

Only providing mechanical lifting devices and training

Workstation layout, plant, equipment, containers, and manual handling techniques (correct)

What is the primary reason for adopting preferred lifting, moving, and handling techniques?

To prevent permanent disabilities and reduce workdays lost (correct)

To reduce the cost of mechanical lifting devices

To reduce the number of workers required for team lifting

To enable workers to lift heavier objects

Which of the following is NOT a necessary measure when manual handling cannot be designed out of work?

Ensuring workers wear protective clothing (correct)

Providing mechanical lifting devices

Supervision to enable workers to work safely

Providing adequate information and training

Who should be involved in discussions about the workplace's manual handling policy?

Employers, workers carrying out manual handling, and health and safety representatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of industrial accidents and permanent disabilities in the workplace?

Manual handling Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to provide a combination of measures when manual handling cannot be designed out?

To provide a comprehensive approach to preventing manual handling injuries Signup and view all the answers

What can attitudes that do not support safe behaviour lead to?

Accidents and hindered accident prevention Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that shapes your motivation?

Attitudes, feelings, tensions and emotions in the world around you Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a medical factor that can cause accidents?

Fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of having positive motivations towards job safety?

Improved accident prevention Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between attitudes and motivations?

Motivations are shaped by attitudes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an undesirable motivation that can lead to accidents in the workplace?

Motivation to save time and effort Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of universal symbols on picture safety signs in workshops?

To prevent accidents and signal health hazards Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of using colour on safety signs?

It attracts attention to the hazard Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the colour red on safety signs?

It communicates a dangerous hazard Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of using safety signs and colours in the workplace?

To eliminate hazards whenever possible Signup and view all the answers

How many basic sign categories are there?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes each sign category?

Shape and colour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of controlling manual handling risks in the workplace?

Improving productivity and efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of injury caused by improper manual handling?

Back injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the spine is not suited to lifting loads when the upper part of the body is acutely bent or twisted?

The forces exerted on the lower back are too great Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all disc injuries occur in the three lowest discs?

95% Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the inter-vertebral discs when you lift with a bent back?

They are compressed on the front of the spine and stretched over the back Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended posture for lifting loads?

A straight back Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you have the authority to correct an unsafe condition?

Order the correction immediately Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to correct the problem at the source?

To prevent the repetition of the unsafe practice Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you do not have the authority to correct an unsafe condition?

Report the condition to a higher authority Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to offer suggestions about how to correct an unsafe condition?

To help speed up the correction process Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of taking temporary precautions when correcting an unsafe condition?

To protect yourself and others from the unsafe condition Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to correct the problem at the source rather than just correcting the unsafe condition?

To prevent the repetition of the unsafe practice Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Rhythmic Movements in Manual Handling

Adopting rhythmic movements in manual handling reduces back injuries and improves productivity and efficiency in the workplace
Sudden or jerky movements should be avoided to minimize the risk of back injuries

Spine and Manual Handling

The spine is not suited to lifting loads when the upper part of the body is acutely bent or twisted
Bent lifting puts stress on the lumbar discs, and 95% of disc injuries occur in the three lowest discs
Straight-back lifting reduces the stress on the lumbar discs and prevents disc injuries

Disc Compression and Rupture

Lifting with a bent back compresses the inter-vertebral discs and stretches them over the back of the spine
This can cause disc rupture and spinal injury

Attitudes and Motivations

Attitudes that do not support safe behavior hamper accident prevention and can cause accidents
Positive motivations towards job safety are crucial in preventing accidents
Undesirable motivations, such as saving time and gaining approval, can lead to accidents

Medical Factors and Accidents

Medical factors, such as illness, impairment, and fatigue, can cause accidents in the workplace
These factors can be associated with high-tempos of operations, lack of rest, and inadequate nourishment

Correcting Unsafe Conditions

Four avenues are available to correct unsafe conditions: ordering correction, reporting to higher authority, correcting the problem at the source, and taking temporary precautions
Correcting the problem at the source involves identifying and addressing the root cause of the hazard

Designing Out Manual Handling

Employers must provide mechanical lifting devices, team lifting procedures, and adequate information and training to minimize manual handling risks
Discussions among workers, health and safety representatives, and employers are essential in setting out the workplace's manual handling policy

Manual Handling Injuries

Manual handling leads to a large number of industrial accidents, including strained backs, damaged spinal discs, and injured hands and feet
Adopting preferred lifting, moving, and handling techniques is crucial in preventing injuries

Safety Signs and Colours

Safety signs and colours are essential in warning of hazards and preventing accidents
Standard symbols and colour markings are used to convey important safety information
There are three basic sign categories: regulatory, warning, and information

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Description

Test your knowledge on manual handling practices in the workplace, including designing out manual handling, providing mechanical lifting devices, training, and supervision to ensure worker safety. Learn about the importance of proper workplace layout and equipment to prevent injuries.