Manual Handling Risks Research Articles

Manual Handling Risk Assessments in Occupational Therapy

The occupational therapy department at a large acute hospital identified 63 manual handling risks in its practice. To facilitate the management of these risks, a 2-year ergonomic study was carried out to rationalise these risks into generic themes. A qualitative methodological approach was taken to explore the complex professional, social and cultural issues. Data were collected using observations and interviews and then analysed with the assistance of NUD*IST. This article attempts to show the process within the study as well as the findings. An explanatory display was used to communicate the researcher's interpretation to the occupational therapists, resulting in the production of the three generic themes of treatment handling, interagency communication and non-hospital property.

Embedding ergonomics in hospital culture: top-down and bottom-up strategies

In England there has been increasing emphasis on the use of ergonomics to tackle manual handling problems for the last seven years (MHO, 1992, 1998; HSAC, 1998). At Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust, I have tried to incorporate an ergonomic approach throughout a wide range of activities since 1994. This paper does not seek to report a research project, simply to share the experience of trying to tackle hospital manual handling risks by taking an ergonomic approach. It will explain what this has involved, where it has been successful and where there have been difficulties. In the five years since the implementation of this strategy three measures have been used to monitor trends. These are (1) manual handling incidents: showing a 33% reduction; (2) days lost from musculoskeletal-related sickness absence: 36% reduction; and (3) completed risk actions: rising from 33% completion to over 75% completion.

Manual handling risks and controls in a soft drinks distribution centre

This paper describes an investigation into manual handling risks and controls within a soft drinks distribution centre, presented as a case study regarding compliance with the requirements of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Methods used included semi-structured interviews, document analysis, analysis of training, OWAS postural analysis and use of the NIOSH equation. Warehouse operators and delivery drivers were studied, and two methods of work compared involving pallets and cages. Significant differences were found between the two work methods with respect to harmful postures. Manual handling risks were found in both warehouse and delivery areas, some being classed as “excessive” using the NIOSH equation. As this company has a good safety record and considers itself proactive in the area of health and safety, the investigation raises concerns about how organisations have responded to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

The relationship between low back discomfort ratings and the NIOSH lifting index.

An epidemiological study was performed to evaluate the relation between low-back discomfort ratings and use of the revised NIOSH lifting guide to assess the risk of manual material handling (MMH) tasks. We surveyed 97 MMH workers on site in 15 factories and designed a questionnaire to systematically collect job-related information. Approximately 90% of the workers had suffered various degrees of lower back discomfort, and 80% had sought medical treatment. The survey showed that 42 of the 97 jobs analyzed had a recommended weight limit of 0, which was attributed to either a horizontal distance or a lifting frequency that exceeded the bounds of the NIOSH lifting index. Apparently, the limits for horizontal distance and maximum allowable frequency are too stringent to accommodate many existing MMH jobs. For the remaining 55 jobs, the significant positive correlation obtained between the lifting index and the severity of low-back discomfort suggests that the lifting index is reliable in assessing the potential risk of low-back injury in MMH. These findings provide useful information on the application of the NIOSH lifting guide to the assessment of low-back pain.

Manual handling risks in midwifery: identification of risk factors

Midwifery has not been generally recognized as a highrisk area for work-related back pain. This article reviews some of the published work relating to manual handling operations in midwifery and uses an ergonomic approach, with qualitative data analysis to investigate identified risks.

New Training Booklet on Manual Handling Risks in the Health Services

New Training Booklet on Manual Handling Risks in the Health Services

Booklet aims to cut manual handling risks

Booklet aims to cut manual handling risks