Manual Material Handling
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110-BTR-01-IGOT © 2024, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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Observe whether workers are maintaining awkward or non-neutral postures, this can indicate
a problematic lift and put them at risk.
Work design often requires companies to receive, store, produce, and ship products. Review
each stage and determine the risk to employees. Identify the specific points in the process
that require human intervention and determine proper controls or change work processes to
eliminate MMH.
Task/Equipment/Workplace Design
Being mindful of how tasks are performed can assist in reducing the factors that make MMH
more complicated, such as:
Jobs that are designed to result in double-handling
Task designs that are suitable for loading a trailer but not for unloading
Equipment that makes moving items too tricky, such as carts with improper castors or
handles that are too high/low
Workplace designs that may encourage poor lifting or long bouts of carrying
Effective ergonomic interventions, which include task, equipment and workplace design, can
lower the physical demands of MMH work tasks, thereby lowering the incidence and severity
of the musculoskeletal injuries they can cause. Ergonomic interventions not only help protect
workers but can also result in significant cost savings for companies. Consider the following:
A larger bucket handle grip
Unique handle for trailer doors to add leverage
Proper handles on tools
Air cushion sheets to move heavy items
Drywall lifters for better grip
Appliance straps
Castors appropriate for the floor surface
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