MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING
4
315-002-01-IGDO © 2019, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Control Measures
The best control measure is to eliminate the need for workers to perform manual handling tasks. Since
this is not always possible, design manual handling tasks so that they are within the workers' capabilities.
Considerations include the load itself, the design of the workstation and work practices. Providing
mechanical handling devices or aids can often eliminate the task itself or ease the demands on the worker.
Task Design
The Load
Reduce the weight of the load by decreasing the:
size of the object (specify size to suppliers)
weight of the container (e.g., plastic is lighter than steel)
capacity of containers
load in the container
Conversely, consider increasing the weight of the load so that it may only be handled mechanically. This
can be done by the use of:
palletized loads, and
larger bins or containers
Decrease the load on the worker by:
limiting the number of objects required to be handled during the day
designating heavier loads as team lifts (e.g., two or more persons)
changing the size and shape of the load so that the worker can get closer to the load's centre of
gravity
WSPS.CA
