Hazards manual handling

In taking steps to avoid hazardous manual handling operations, first check whether the load needs to be moved or whether the following operation can be carried out next to the load. Consideration should be given to automation, particularly if new processes are involved and can be incorporated at an early stage, or mechanisation such as the use of a fork lift tmck. However, care must be taken to avoid creating new hazards which may arise through the use of automation or mechanisation. 

Inform the employer if they identify hazardous manual handling activities. 

Toxicity Closed equipment is desirable for handling toxic systems to avoid creating a health hazard. Manual handling of separation products should be avoided wherever possible. 

However, given that that many biocides are hazardous to handle, a dosing pump may be a useful measure. Thus a suitable compromise may perhaps be to pump biocide to the cooling system, when tests or observation indicate a need, and to employ a manually initiated limit timer to actuate the pump. Typically, limit timers have an adjustable 0- to 90-minute timer cycle, with a 13 to 15 A output to a chemical metering pump. 

External filters are also used to filter the fryer oils. These filters are similar in principle to the built-in filters. Operation of these filters is hazardous because of the high oil temperature and manual handling of the hot oil. Burns from the hot oil is one of the common accidents in the fast food restaurants. Figure 4 shows the schematic diagram for an external filter. 

We will look at the hazards associated with working above ground and good manual handling techniques in Chapter 8 of this book. 

Sodium Carbonate and Carbon Dioxide. Carbonates are possible sources of CO2 (see below), and the alkali metal carbonates are hazardous in their own right. Soda ash is rated as a moderate health hazard. It is irritating to the eyes upon contact, and continuous contact can irritate the skin. When the dry material is handled, some dust becomes airborne, and its inhalation irritates the respiratory tract. Pneumatic transfer requires effective filtration of exhaust air. Manual handling requires good mechanical ventilation of the work area and the use of protective equipment to minimize contact. 

In some laboratories, e.g., clinical laboratories, automation and encapsulation have greatly reduced chemical exposure of the workers. In some other types of laboratories, e.g., research institutions or industrial laboratories, manual handling of hazardous materials is still a problem. In the future, automation and encapsulation may further reduce chemical exposure during routine analysis, but new types of biological and chemical hazards may nevertheless arise from the use of recombinants in genetic and molecular biological laboratory work (Norback 1997 Estlander et al. 1998). 

In this stage, risks are eliminated. An example of this is a manual handling hazard in which lifting heavy boxes may result in back strain. The risk may be avoided through the use of a mechanical aid (fork-lift truck), therefore eliminating the risk of back injury with the task. Another example is where a fire hazard exists in a particular area of a plant. Switching to non-combustible materials can eliminate this hazard, and so prevent it being realized. 

The practice of occupational health and safety is multidisciplinary and, for this reason, situations in the evaluation of hazards may be outside the expertise of the organization and better sirited to an expert. These are often consultants in a particular field such as noise, manual handling, auditing, to name a few. 

C Wellness, manual handling, hearing conservation, stress management, hazardous substances, permits and tagout/lockout, etc. 

In other words, if the risk of injury is very small compared to the cost, time and effort required to reduce the risk, then no action is necessary. It is important to note that money, time and trouble must grossly outweigh not balance the risk. This duty requires judgement on the part of the employer (or his adviser) and clearly needs a risk assessment to be undertaken with conclusions noted. Continual monitoring is also required to ensure that risks do not increase. There are numerous examples of this level of duty, including the Manual Handling Operations Regulations and The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. 

The method statement should take into account the conclusions of risk assessments made under the Management, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. It can also help other contractors working on a site to understand the effects work will have on them. It can help the principal contractor to draw up the construction phase safety plan. 

The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 deal with the main hazards likely to be found on a construction site. In addition to these specific hazards, there will be the more general hazards (e.g. manual handling, electricity, noise etc) which are discussed in more detail in other chapters. The hazards and controls identified in the Construction Regulations are as follows. 

Figure 13.2 Manual handling - there are many potential hazards.

The handling of kerb stones is one of the main causes of back problems and other musculoskeletal disorders. Standard kerb stones weigh approximately 67 kg and are made of pre-cast concrete. Thus the main hazards associated with the manual handling of kerb stones are the weight of the stones, unsuitable body posture and the frequency and repetitive nature of the work. The risk, therefore, of injury to workers who lay kerb stones by hand is high and employers must address all three hazards. HSE recommends a hierarchy of control measures in their information sheet, CIS No 57, as follows ... 

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