e shipped, it can be wrapped where it is without moving it. In the medical field, nurses should check if the treatment can be brought to the patient, rather than having to transport the patient to the treatment, which often involves moving them from a bed to a gurney, and back again. Raw materials for manufacturing may be able to be piped to their point of use rather than carried manually in boxes/sacks etc.
The employer needs to assess the task, the load, the working environment and the capacity of the individual moving the load (Advice; BFAWU; Health; Stranks). The employer needs to evaluate the task for twisting and stooping involved, carrying distance, stability of load, and rest and recovery time needed between load handling. He needs to asses the load for its weight, ease of grasping, and predictability of movement. The environment needs to be assessed for constraints on posture, condition of floors, variations in level, temperature and humidity conditions, air movements, lighting conditions, and restriction on movements and posture from protective equipment worn. Finally, the person doing the manual lifting needs to be assessed to see if the job requires unusual capabilities which they do not have, if the move would endanger those with health problems, or if the person moving the load would need special information or training.
It is important to use any mechanical means of moving loads which are available (BFAWU; Health; HSE 6; Stranks). These could be a conveyor belt, a pallet truck, an electric hoist or a lift truck. Such equipment needs to be properly maintained and regularly serviced, and be operated by those trained to do so. There are industry specific data available for help in making assessments which explain how to consider the tasks involved, the nature of the load, and the physical ability of the individual manually handling the load (Manual). An ergonomic approach is recommended to fit the oper...