Guidelines For Supervisors – Ensuring Safe Lifting
and Manual Material Handling in the Workplace
6
310-BJS-03-IGPA © 2022, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Option 1 – To be used if group is small enough for individual feedback from supervisor.
Explain that each person will need to demonstrate the technique, step-by-step, and get
feedback.
Observe each person – one at a time – and provide feedback using your observer's
checklist.
Use an empty box – that represents a real life object – or, alternatively, have your workers
practice this technique in the actual work setting using materials they are responsible to
lift or move.
When observing individuals, be sure to stop them if they are not following the steps
correctly. Encourage them to keep practicing the lift until they get the steps down
correctly. Provide positive feedback whenever you can.
Option 2 – To be used if group is larger than 10 people.
Follow same approach as in Option One, but have people in the group assume the
observer role.
Have workers pair up to practice.
Explain that each person will need to demonstrate the technique, step-by-step, and get
feedback from his/her partner. After that, partners reverse roles.
Circulate throughout the room and provide feedback to lifters if you see that partners are
not properly demonstrating the technique. Re-demonstrate the lift and encourage them
to keep trying until they master the steps. Don't forget to give some positive feedback.
Ask for any questions or comments.
Conclusion Close the safety talk by answering questions.
Ask the group: "Now that you have had an opportunity to practice
this technique, what questions do you have?"
Explain to the group: If you need help, ask for assistance.
Let people know that other safe lifting techniques will be discussed
in future sessions.
Thank the participants for participating and discuss next steps
(such as dates of upcoming sessions).
