It can be carried out by hand or by bodily force,manual handling indludes lifting, lowering,putting down, pushing,pulling carrying or moving picking up and carrying any object is manual handling. awkward postures,poor lifting techniques and failing to route plan. will all increase the risk of injury during manual handling tasks

Nanual handling is present innearly every workplace in many forms.

Manual handling can never be completely avoided but it can causea number of injuries.including trapping,arushing,cutting and musculoskeletal disorders, the term musculoskeletal disorders covers any injury,damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues. in the upper or lower limbs of the back, Manual handling is the leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders at work which accounts for over a third of all work-related illness. the weight of the item is an important factor, but many other factors can create a risk of injury, For example the number of times you have to pick up or carry an item. the distance you are canrying it,where you're picking it up from or putting it down and twisting hending.stretching or other awkward posture

To avoid iniury it's important to know how much you can safely lift. and to use good manual handling techniques.

The manual handling operations regulations.cover the legal requiremments of manual handling at work, an employer's duties include avoiding the meed for monual handling wherever possible assesying the risk. Reducing the need by providling medhanical aids,and training staff in good manual handling techniques, and employee have a duty to make full and proper use of anything provided by an employer. in connection with manual handling, this in cludesfollowing any advice and training given on lifting and carrying.

Think the(l-i-t-e) load individual, task, environment

Load considerations, heavy load bulky loads, unstable loads, difficult to grasp.sharp edges.hot or hazardous loads. Individual considerations, the strength of the individual knowlege of the load and task training and experience.

Task considerations,avoid twisting the trunk, avoid stooping or reaching upwards, prevent holding or manipulating loads at a distance from the trunk. avoid task that demand poor posture assess frequent physical effort, avoid excessive lifting or lowering prevent excessive carrying distance. prevent excessive pushing or pulling of loads, avoid sudden movement of loads, minimise prolonged physical effort,allow for rest or recovery perfiods. environment considerations space restrictions preventing good postures, Uneven slippery defective, unstable floors,change in floor level such as steps o ramps. windy or dusty atmosphere overcrowding of workspaces, extreme temperature changes. physical obstructions poor lighting.

A risk assessment should be completed before you carry out manual handling activities.Think LITE by considering hazards such as the load the individual the task and the environment.