Manual Handling

Guidance from the HSE on manual handling operations recommends

• A certain amount that is safe for a person to lift

• Lift only as much as you are comfortable with

• That two people can lift twice as much as one

• The maximum weight to be lifted is 25kg

If a load has a uneven centre of gravity how should you lift it?

• Keep the heaviest side of the load towards you

• Keep the heaviest side of the load away from you

• Keep the heaviest side of the load away from you

• Keep the heaviest side of the load on the weakest arm

In making a judgement of the risks from the load you should consider

• Its size and condition

• Its weight

• Its centre of gravity

• All three of the above

In making a judgment of “individual capability” for manual handling, you should assume

• All men are equally capable

• All women are equally capable

• Young men are weak

• All people are different

What is the maximum weight that an individual may lift?

• 25kg provided that it is a compact load

• 35kg provided that it has no sharp edges

• Whatever the supervisor says

• The weight they can lift comfortably

Which of the following would you consider to be generally correct?

• You should twist your body when lifting

• The feet should be together and the load lifted at arm’s length

• Large loads should be split into smaller loads if possible

• Keep the load away from the body

Keep the load away from the body

• Ensure you wear a safety helmet

• Access whether it is safe to lift it on your own

• Wear gloves to grip it properly

• Ensure that you lift it all in one go

Where a load has to be lifted manually, what is the employer required to do by law?

• Access the risk of the task

• Calculate the cost of the exercise

• Access the time the job will take

• Determine the number of people required

What do you think is the part of your body most likely to be injured during a manual handling operation?

• Chest

• Forearms

• Knees

• Back

When lifting a load manually, which of the following statements is correct?

• The feet should be together, and the load lifted at arm’s length

• The feet should be apart for balance and the load lifted above the head using the power of the arms

• The feet should be slightly apart and the load lifted with the power of the legs

• The feet should be together, arms should be extended and the load lifted with the power of the back