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Manual material handling

Workers are required to move and carry loads in many workplaces. Examples include factories, warehouses, the manufacturing and food processing sectors and stores.

Manual material handling includes lifting, setting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving a load. The load handled can be a person or an object.

Safety rules

Safety principles for the worker

To avoid injury when lifting and carrying loads manually, workers should apply the following principles:

  • Assess the load (weight, shape, balance) and context to determine the best handling method before moving an item

Where possible and applicable:

  • ask for help
  • use the safe handling techniques learned
  • use wheeled handling equipment to move heavy loads (push rather than pull wheeled equipment)

Where manual handling is required :

  • try to reduce the initial load (when picking it up) by bringing the load closer to the body and limiting flexion of the trunk
  • control the distribution of the load by balancing the load symmetrically
  • maintain the natural curve of the back
  • perform movements using the strength of the thighs
  • make sure the worker remains stable from pick up to set down by removing all obstacles
  • try to maintain a continuous grip from pick up to set down
  • slide, pivot, rock and roll the load instead of lifting it
Risk factors associated with manual material handling

Manual material handling is a task that involves risks of injury and musculoskeletal disorders. Risk factors associated with handling tasks are often combined. This combination of factors increases their potential effects on the body. In order to limit the repercussions, it is important to identify, correct and control them quickly.

Excessive effort

This type of effort is usually made at the beginning of the lifting movement and exceeds the worker’s physical capabilities. It is the result of a load that is too heavy or too far away or too high in relation to the body of the person picking it up.

Asymmetrical effort

This type of effort creates an imbalance because it is concentrated on one part or one side of the body. This type of imbalance, for example when the spine is twisted, weakens the body.

Sudden effort

A sudden effort is often made unexpectedly, for example to avoid a fall during a loss of balance.

Cumulative effort

This refers to the same effort made repeatedly or over too long a period. This addition of effort causes fatigue, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. For example, going up and down steps repeatedly.

Other risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, such as working in the cold or insufficient recovery time, may also be involved in some cases.

Preventive measures

To prevent musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual material handling tasks, it is important to identify situations and movements that represent risk factors for the worker. For example, a worker may have to place heavy loads on a shelf that is too high or perform a task that requires a repetitive effort. These situations must be corrected quickly. The earlier you respond when the first signs of discomfort appear, the more likely you are to avoid a permanent injury.

Use of material handling equipment

The best way to avoid the risk of musculoskeletal disorders is to reduce the effort required to perform tasks. Numerous types of material handling equipment can be used to perform the main types of transportation and reduce the load as much as possible for the worker.

Organization of work

The solution sometimes lies in the organization of work. Repetitive tasks can be done over shorter periods. Varying the types of effort required and the parts of the body used during the same shift is very important to allow musculoskeletal tissues to recover. Tasks can also be done by 2 workers when the effort required is too great for a single worker.

Worker training

Providing training to workers will give them the tools they need to perform their tasks in an ergonomic manner. Teaching safe work techniques will enable workers to better control risk by reducing effort and optimizing movement. Specific work techniques can be taught to workers.

Specific measures for a sector of activity

Moving and delivery services

There is a high risk of injury in the moving and delivery services sectors, such as straining when carrying loads that are too large or too heavy, dropping furniture, skinning or pinching fingers, slipping or falling while carrying a load. To avoid injury, delivery people and movers must use the following material handling equipment whenever possible:

  • platform truck
  • moving straps
  • 2-wheel hand truck
  • stair climbing hand truck
  • powered stair climbing hand truck
  • 4-wheel hand truck
  • hand truck
  • appliance and vending machine hand truck
  • dolly
Warehousing, manufacturing plants and factories

Shelving goods in a warehouse and moving large drums in a factory, for example, are tasks that require a great deal of effort on the part of the worker when they are done manually. To avoid unnecessary and repetitive strain, workers in warehouses, manufacturing plants or factories must use the following material handling equipment whenever possible:

  • drum gripping accessories for lifting equipment
  • platform truck
  • scissor lift table cart
  • ladder cart
  • panel cart
  • bar and pipe truck
  • tyre cart
  • conveyor
  • upright drum discharger
  • drum truck (2 wheels)
  • drum truck (4 wheels)
  • bucket hand truck
  • convertible hand truck
  • portable crane
  • magnetic sheet handler
  • general purpose hoist
  • drum dolly
  • dolly
  • dolly with drawbar
  • pallet dolly
  • vacuum lifter
  • scissor lift table
  • pallet hand truck
  • hand-operated electric pallet truck
  • tricycle
Construction and demolition

On a construction site, workers carry materials (buckets of cement, bricks, etc.) and tools that are very heavy and sometimes difficult to carry close to the body. They also have to carry oversized loads such as gypsum or plywood panels, pipes or ladders.

To avoid injury, construction workers must use the following material handling equipment whenever possible:

  • wheelbarrow
  • platform truck
  • ladder cart
  • panel cart
  • bar and pipe truck
  • drum truck (2 wheels)
  • drum truck (4 wheels)
  • bucket hand truck
  • convertible hand truck
  • portable crane
  • magnetic sheet handler
  • general purpose hoist
  • dolly
  • dolly with drawbar
  • pallet dolly
  • pallet hand truck
  • hand-operated electric pallet truck
  • tricycle
Agriculture

The risks of musculoskeletal disorders associated with agricultural work are high and very varied. Field work, harvesting and milking, for example, can be very hard on the body. On a farm, workers often have to carry very heavy loads such as soil, grain or equipment. To avoid putting more strain on their body, farmers must use the following material handling equipment whenever possible:

  • wheelbarrow
  • ladder cart
  • 2-wheel hand truck
  • stair climbing hand truck
  • powered stair climbing hand truck
  • four-wheel hand truck
  • hand truck
  • bucket hand truck
  • portable crane
  • dolly with drawbar
  • tricycle
Retail trade

Receiving, handling and storing goods are tasks that can quickly become exhausting and involve a high risk of injury if done manually. Space is often maximized in warehouses and shelves can be high and difficult to reach. To avoid injury, workers must use the following material handling equipment whenever possible:

  • platform truck
  • book cart
  • tyre cart
  • conveyor
  • 2-wheel hand truck
  • stair climbing hand truck
  • powered stair climbing hand truck
  • four-wheel hand truck
  • hand truck
  • appliance and vending machine hand truck
  • ladder
  • stepladder
  • dolly
  • dolly with drawbar
  • pallet dolly
  • pallet hand truck
  • hand-operated electric pallet truck
  • tricycle