Identify agreed ways of working

Your
employer will have provided you with information about the agreed ways of
working in your workplace. It is
important to follow agreed ways of working. They will incorporate the law and
exist to protect you, the individual and anyone else involved.

Your
agreed ways of working will include safe assisting and moving principles and
the need to wear appropriate clothing and flat, closed in footwear. It is
important to remember that each individual you work with will be different and
each moving task or activity will vary. Agreed ways of working will need to
take into account these differences.

These
are principles of safe and efficient movement that will form part of your
agreed ways of working…

Think
before you take action

Plan the
lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will
help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping
materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or
bench to change grip.

Don’t
flex your back while lifting

This can
happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.

Keep the
load close to your waist

Keep the
load close to the body for as long as possible when lifting. Keep the heaviest
side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not
possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift.

 Look
ahead

Keep
your head up, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.

Adopt a
stable position

Your
feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance
(alongside the load, if it is on the ground). You should be prepared to move
your feet during the lift to maintain stability. Avoid tight clothing or
unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult.

Get a
good hold

Where
possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body. This may
be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.

Start in
a good posture

At the
start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to
fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees
(squatting).

Avoid
twisting the back or leaning sideways

Especially
while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same
direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and
lifting at the same time.

Move
smoothly

The load
should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and
can increase the risk of injury.

Don’t
lift or handle more than can be easily managed

There is
a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If you
are unsure, seek advice or get help.

 If you
are working as a team to move a person or object good communication will ensure
the manoeuvre is completed as safely and efficiently as possible. First confirm
the direction of travel and the end point. As you prepare to carry out a moving
task with other people, say the words: