Manual load handling is a common task in virtually every sector of work, from heavy industry to the healthcare sector to all types of services. In all sectors of work we will encounter tasks that involve manipulating loadsmanually, passing through all kinds of industries and services.

Manual handling of loads is sometimes responsible for the onset of physical fatigue or injuries that can occur suddenly or by the accumulation of seemingly unimportant small injuries. The most common injuries are: Bruises, cuts, wounds, fractures and musculoskeletal injuries.

Measures should be taken to eliminate the risk of manual load handling by automating or machining processes. There are many mechanisms for this, for example, by palatizing loads that allow their transport by forklifts, conveyor belts, cranes, etc.

To eliminate risk, aids can be used to facilitate manual handling of loads. For example, by forklifts, conveyor belts, rollers, trolleys, flip-overs, winches, pulleys, lathes, etc. When a load is overweight, ask a partner for help. In this case communication and coordination between the two is very important.

The position of the most favorable load is glued to the body, at a height between the elbows and knuckles. The further away the loads away from the center of gravity of the worker’s body, the risk of injury increases. In addition, the turns of the trunk should be avoided asmuch as possible, as they favor injuries.

Cargo handling above the shouldersand below the knees will be avoided as much as possible and you should make sure that the transport area is free of obstacles before you start handling the load manually.