Lifting, manual handling and storage

Back injury

Teaching can be surprisingly manual at times, and this can bring its own dangers, but not if you're aware of them. On this page you can read advice on lifting heavy objects, manual handling, work equipment and storage.

In your enthusiasm to get your classroom perfect for your first year of teaching you could find yourself doing a fair amount of manual labour. But don't burn yourself out. Here are some practical hints.

Manual handling

Manual handling should be reduced as far as possible by using mechanical or other means. You should be instructed in safe lifting techniques and should be provided with protective clothing where necessary, particularly for hands and feet.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and Guidance booklet require employers to identify, examine and assess all manual handling operations occurring in the work place with a view to identifying where there may be a risk of injury and to determine measures to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

A checklist for safe lifting

  • Before attempting to lift a load assess its size and shape. Obtain assistance if required.
  • Check there's enough space to make the lift and space to reposition the load as required.
  • Stand correctly, with a straight back and your chin tucked in, close to the load you are to lift - your feet should be apart with one foot in front of the other facing in the intended direction of travel.
  • Lift with your knees bent and use your legs, not your back, as the lifting power.
  • Make sure you have a good grip on the load before lifting and do not change your grip once carrying. Do not allow the load to obstruct your field of view - if it is too large seek assistance. Set the load down gently - again keep your back straight and knees bent.

Lifts and mechanical lifting

Mechanical lifting aids reduce the need for manual handling but can pose their own hazards. All types of lifting equipment, including lifting gear, and lifting operations must comply with The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, its Approved Code of Practice and the Provision of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Lifting equipment covers cranes, lifts and hoists, and components, ie chains, ropes, slings, hooks, shackles and eyebolts.

A checklist for mechanical lifting

  • All lifting equipment must be suitable for activity it is to be used for. Consider the environment it will be used in, the load to be lifted and addition risks posed by its operation
  • Lifting equipment must have adequate strength and stability (consider mobile equipment)
  • Provide operators with a suitable position and a safe place of work
  • Train operators, ensure they have relevant experience and are competent to operate lifting equipment safely. Pay particular regard to the maturity and judgement of young persons
  • Ensure a competent person thoroughly examines and inspects all lifting equipment as necessary (this is usually done by an insurance company). Keep copies of the report of examination
  • Clearly mark machinery and accessories with their safe working load
  • Ensure a competent person plans and supervises all lifting operations to ensure that it is carried out safely. Minimise risks identified in the initial risk assessment.

Work equipment and machinery safety

Legislation lays down requirements for employers regarding the safety and safe use of all work equipment including machinery. Work equipment should not give rise to risks to health and safety, irrespective of its age or place of origin.

New work equipment and machinery should meet all the requirements of the Regulations. This also applies to second hand or hired and leased equipment.

The need for training, maintenance and suitability assessment will apply to all equipment, old and new. Equipment brought into the workplace by employees is also covered. All new equipment will bear the CE mark.

Any work equipment used in the course of a work activity is covered by the Regulations ranging from large industrial machinery to the butcher’s knife, joiner’s hand saw, ladder, car ramp or computer for example.

QUOTELEFT]Machinery hazards

The hazards of machines at work are many; from trapping (eg between rollers or cogs), entanglement (a risk wherever there are rotating or moving parts), ejection (particularly from machines such as grinding wheels and drills) to straightforward contact with moving parts which can cause abrasions or friction burns. Non-mechanical hazards from machines include electrical risks, noise and vibration, dust and fume, and ergonomic (layout) faults.

Machine guarding

Proper safeguarding of machinery is required by law; all potentially dangerous parts should either be securely out of reach or else fitted with a safeguard to prevent access. Guarding is required even when the dangerous part would be out of reach in normal circumstances (at ceiling height for example). There is a wide range of guards and their suitability depends upon the type of machine; your supplier and your safety inspector will be able to advise. Some older machines in particular may require new guarding as standards have improved.

Where guards are detachable it is usually for cleaning and maintenance, effective supervision and training is required to ensure that they are not removed by operators for any other reason. This can be a problem where their removal allows increased work rates. In addition, it is important to remember that you cannot rely upon employees to avoid dangerous machinery parts that are unguarded even if the danger is obvious.

Machinery safety checklist

  • Only trained and authorised users must be allowed to operate machines.
  • Training checklists should be used to ensure all the relevant points are covered.
  • Machines must never be used without all proper guards in place and working correctly. Posters and signs should be used to remind workers of the need to use guards.
  • Operators should check that all necessary guards are in place before starting any machine.
  • Areas around machines should be clean, tidy and free of obstructions.
  • Sufficient clear space should be provided to allow easy movement and reduce the risk of accidental interference from other works.
  • Appropriate safety clothing should be worn when operating machines.
  • A sufficient standard of lighting must be provided around machines. In particular, ‘flicker’ must be prevented as this can cause problems when working with moving parts.
  • A clear system of signing must be implemented for defective machines in order to prevent unauthorised use.
  • Defects must be remedied promptly.

Storage

It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with your classroom as soon as you can. Get to know its nooks and crannies. The checklist below should help you review your storage arrangements.

  • Check the safe loading of racks, shelves and floors and do not exceed it.
  • Use a properly constructed rack for storage and secure it to the wall for stability.
  • Ensure stacks on floors or racks are stable and do not protrude into gangways.
  • Make sure there is a safe way of accessing loads on racks and that any ladders or steps used are appropriate and in good repair.
  • Store heavy items as near to floor level as possible.
  • Check loads that might roll such as drums or pipes.
  • Inspect racking regularly for damage and set up a defect reporting system. Include pallets if they are used.
  • All mobile work equipment eg forklift trucks, tractors should be assessed for the risk of overturning or rolling over and fit protective devices if necessary.

Help and support

For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000), Belfast (028 9078 2020) or Edinburgh (0131 272 2748) offices or email info@atl.org.uk

For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).

If you are not a member, join now.

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