Manual handling

What is the safest way to find out if a load is too heavy to lift?

• Find out the weight of the load.

• See if you can hold the load at arms length.

• Walk around it looking at it from all sides.

• Pick it up quickly then put it down.

Answer explanation

The paperwork that accompanies the item will usually have the weight on it.

Who should decide what weight you should safely carry.

• Your employer.

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• Your manager

• You & your supervisor.

Answer explanation

There is no legal maximum weight that a single person can safely lift.

Which of the following does an employer need to do to ensure that safe manual handling is carried out?

• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as reasonably practical.

• Assess the risk from any hazardous manual handling that can't be avoided (risk assessment)

• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, far as is reasonable.

• Think about lifting equipment to lift the object.

• All the above.

TRUE of FALSE, manual handling is optional in the workplace.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

It's the law.

If you are told to lift a heavy object and you know you won't be able to, what should you do?

• Do it anyway

• Yell at your boss and leave work

• Look for another person, mechanical aid or advise that you can't safely do it

• Kick it

Who is responsible for identifying the weight limit that you can safely lift?

• Your boss

• Your husband or wife

• You - you know your strength and your body limits

• Facebook

What would you NOT consider when lifting a heavy load?

• Its centre of gravity

• Its weight

• Its size

• Its colour

Before handling any load you should...

• Check the surrounding area for hazards

• Find out if the load is heavy

• Ensure the route you will take is clear

• All of the above

To lift a load you should always try to:

• Carry the load away from your body

• Divide large loads into smaller loads

• Stand with your feet together when lifting

• Bend your back when lifting

You have to move a load which might be too heavy for you. You cannot divide it into smaller loads and there is no one to help you. What should you do?

• Try to lift it using the correct lifting methods

• Get a forklift truck, even though you can't drive

  one

• Do not move the load until you have found a safe

  method

• Lift and move the load quickly to avoid injury