What is manual handling?

Simply, manual handling is the movement of items by human energy.

Manual handling includes lifting, holding, pushing, pulling, shifting and lowering.  In fact, any form of human exertion could be included – with or without the use of mechanical aids.

This program covers:

• Detailed description of manual handling
• The problems and how injuries are caused
• The types of injuries
•  Steps to deal with manual handling

Hierarchy of Control Measures

The steps to deal with manual handling can often be addressed by following through a series of questions.  This process, the hierarchy of control measures asks the following:

• Must the load be moved?
• Must it be lifted?
• Can it be moved mechanically?
• Can the load be reduced?
• Can assistance be gained?
• Is the load too heavy to safely lift?

Manual handling contributes directly to a significant percentage of work related accidents and injuries.  Manual handling is an issue that must be addressed as an ongoing subject in the workplace.

RUNNING TIME: 12 Minutes

Material handling occurs in one way or another in every department of every business on every working day - it is not surprising that accidents and injuries resulting from incorrect manual handling techniques comprise the largest group of occupational hazards that result in lost time.

This program covers the following:

• Anatomy and physiology of the neck and back
• Types of injuries - muscle-ligament and disc
• Steps to safe lifting
• Team lifting
• Physical characteristics of loads
• Working conditions
• Personal limitations of personnel involved in manual handling tasks

It is important to understand that of all the manual handling activities that put people at risk, lifting and carrying of objects accounts for 75% of all manual handling accidents and injuries.

The principles of correct lifting and carrying must therefore be an important part of any manual handling training program.

This program has been produced with the general workforce in mind, however, because the principles remain unchanged, regardless of the location, it is a program suitable for a wide audience.

RUNNING TIME: 13 Minutes

Manual handling contributes directly to a significant percentage of work-related accidents and injuries. This safety short covers some important questions to consider before manual handling takes place.

RUNNING TIME: 3 Minutes

This program has been produced to explain the “Safety Essentials” of workplace safety. It identifies what the essentials are, why it is important to keep them in mind, the reasons behind them, and how a good understanding of these “Safety Essentials” can help in preventing serious workplace accidents.

The program commences by addressing the importance of workplace safety and the possible consequences of workplace accidents, including the direct and hidden costs to individuals and organisations.

Main Program Sections:
The program is broken down into four main sections, each section covers one of the four “safety essentials”.

Section One
This section addresses the fundamental question of exactly how you can be harmed in the workplace.

Section Two
There are some fundamental expectations that every organisation has of its employees in matters related to safety. This section details the ten rules and principles that everyone should know.

Section Three
This section covers correct manual handling techniques with emphasis placed on lifting and carrying, and

Section Four
Addresses what should happen in different emergency situations.

Understanding the “Safety Essentials” and applying them in your workplace is a fundamental part of any successful workplace safety program.

RUNNING TIME: 15 minutes

This program has been produced to inform and educate on the safety issues that exist in the office environment. It looks at the common and often overlooked hazards that could exist in an average office, and how these hazards can be recognised and controlled to reduce the risks to individuals working in offices.

The program provides:

• An understanding that although the typical office doesn’t contain the obvious life-threatening hazards of some work environments, the hazards that do exist in the office can nonetheless cause real damage.
• An awareness of the different kinds of hazard that exist in the office, such as slip, trip and fall hazards, manual handling hazards, fire hazards and electrical hazards.
• An understanding of the principles behind workstation ergonomics, and how these principles can be used to avoid injuries and protect health.
• Knowledge of the correct steps to be taken to avoid accidents and injuries in the office environment, such as good housekeeping, correct lifting and carrying, safe use of electricity, and fire prevention and fire fighting methods.
• A heightened awareness of the issue of workplace safety when applied specifically to the office situation.

It’s easy to consider the office a perfectly safe work environment, and forget about the hazards that can exist. Just because you work in an office, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned for your own health and safety, and that of your colleagues.

DURATION: 12 Minutes

In the past, safety was often regarded as just an adjunct to production. 

Today, it is well recognised that managing safety issues efficiently and effectively will contribute to an organisation's financial viability and it will demonstrate a commitment to the most valuable asset of any organisation; its people.

Safety awareness is the starting point to accident prevention.

Included in this program:

• What is an Accident?
• Why do accidents occur?
• Who is responsible for safety?
• Safety policies
• Recognition, evaluation and control of hazards
• Safe work procedures
• Manual handling
• Good Housekeeping practices
• Use of tools and equipment
• General safety requirements.

What is Safety Awareness?

It's a responsibility, a commitment, an obligation.  It's common sense, teamwork and safe work procedures.  It's recognising hazards and showing a willingness to act to control any hazard present.

The program has been designed for all personnel.  It can be used as a general safety training program and can also be utilised as an induction program for new personnel to introduce safety concepts.

RUNNING TIME: 12 Minutes

Accidents and injuries resulting from incorrect manual handling techniques comprise the largest group of occupational hazards that result in lost time. This safety short gives you a quick overview of correct lifting and carrying technique.

RUNNING TIME: 4 Minutes

The most common causes of injury when preparing food are slips, trips and falls;
incorrect manual handling procedures; burns, and exposure to harmful
substances. Other concerns include cutting tasks as well as exposure to heat and
noise. This safety short gives you a quick overview of what safety hazards to look out for in a food preparation environment.

RUNNING TIME: 4 Minutes

Chemicals are a fact of life.

All living things are made from chemicals and in fact we depend on chemistry for our very existence.....everything from the ground we walk on , to the air we breathe is made from chemicals and chemical compounds. 

Every workplace, office, factory, warehouse or plant, uses chemicals to some extent or other.  Chemicals range from mild cleaning agents through to highly corrosive, flammable and poisonous substances that are used for different processes and applications. 

This program includes: 

• Details on chemical entry into the body
• The dose and hazards
• Fire and explosion
• Environmental pollution
• Control measures
• Storage
• Evaluation of handling and storage methods 

The safe handling and storage of all chemicals regardless of where they are used requires a commitment by everyone to follow safe work procedures.  The realisation of the risks and an ongoing program to minimise the hazards will reduce accidents and make your workplace a safer workplace. 

RUNNING TIME: 15 Minutes

Anyone who handles food, must maintain a high level of safe handling practices to control the spread of harmful organisms or allergens. Cleanliness is key. Always ensure your clothes, hands and face are thoroughly clean before beginning a new task. Coughing, sneezing or touching your face and hair prior to handling food can lead to cross contamination.. This safety short gives you a quick overview of how to maintain a clean workspace within a food preparation environment.

RUNNING TIME: 4 Minutes

Forklifts – sometimes called Lift Trucks – are a common sight in many workplaces, and often make the lifting and transporting of goods and materials much easier and safer.

But without good safety practices and procedures in place forklifts can be very dangerous.  In fact, forklifts are a leading cause of workplace deaths and injuries.

A loaded forklift can weigh many tonnes, and do a lot of damage in the event of an accident.  In addition, they are frequently less stable than many other vehicles. 

This comprehensive forklift safety program covers:

• The main causes of Forklift Accidents
• Pre-Operational Checks
• Operational Checks
• Getting on and off
• Load Handling
• Picking up a load
• Setting down a load
• Fault discovery
• Speed and Stopping Distances
• Traffic Management and Pedestrian Traffic 

The objective of this program is to highlight the importance of operating Forklifts safely and by so doing, increase awareness of the standards for worker responsibility in observing and being active in daily safety procedures.

DURATION: 18 Minutes

Gas cylinders supply a wide variety of gases for a multitude of different industrial, medical and domestic purposes. Most people instinctively appreciate that there are hazards associated with gas bottles and cylinders.

Included in this program:

• Types of gases
• The hazards associated with gases
• Things to do before using a gas cylinder
• General do's and don'ts 
• Safe storage 
• Safe handling
• Leak testing
• Emergency procedures

Safety Data Sheets, safe work procedures and advice from the manufacturer and your supervisor should ensure the safety of all concerned with compressed gas cylinders.  

RUNNING TIME: 15 Minutes

• Lack of adequate inspections and checks
• Overloading the crane beyond recommended capacities and 
• Lack of knowledge of critical information by the operator 

Both oxy-acetylene and electric arc welding can pose safety and health hazards for welders and workers nearby. Exposure to these hazards can result in discomfort, temporary or permanent physical injury, or even death.

‘Understanding Welding Hazards’ includes:

1. Identifying Welding Hazards

• Radiant energy
• Temperature extremes
• Fumes and gases
• Noise
• Sparks and slag
• Electric shock
• Chemicals
• Fires
• Explosions
• Work area

2. Evaluating Hazards in the Workplace

• Worksite check - welding shop
• On-site welding
• Welding in a confined space

3. Workshop Controls

• Heat and radiation
• Fumes, dust, vapours and gases

4. Work Practice Controls

• Storing and handling gas cylinders
• Maintenance
• Fire
• Hot environments

5. Personal Protective Equipment

• Skin protection
• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Respiratory protection

The objective of this program is to highlight the importance of operating welding equipment safely and by so doing, increase awareness of the standards for worker responsibility in observing and being active in daily safety procedures.

RUNNING TIME: 21 Minutes

Gas cylinders supply a wide variety of gases for a multitude of different industrial, medical and domestic purposes. This safety short gives you some general guidelines to apply when handling gas cylinders.

RUNNING TIME: 2 Minutes