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What is Manual Handling & Kinetic Lifting Technique?
Lifting heavy items or objects without any mechanical help is known as manual handling. Experts have designed a technique that reduces the risk of injuries associated with mechanical handling, known as the kinetic lifting technique.
The kinetic lifting technique ensures safe lifting and manoeuvring of heavy objects while maintaining a safe posture. This technique uses elbows and arms as the levers to lift the objects and minimise any risk of spinal and muscular injuries.
However, many factors must be considered before manually handling an object. We have described these factors below. We have also guided you step-by-step on how to execute a perfect kinetic lifting. Moreover, we have also written some useful tips and a list of the most common injuries that are associated with manual handling. Let’s begin!
Risk Assessment for Manual Handling
Before you begin lifting, there are a few risk factors that you must consider to avoid any mishaps or injuries. These factors include the following:
Analyse the Task
Make sure to analyse and organise your activity properly. This includes the duration, possible breaks and frequency of the task. Also, analyse your position in relation to the object which you are moving. You should also analyse the route properly before moving.
Assess the Abilities
Thoroughly determine the abilities of the person who is going to perform this task. Take all the attributes into account that may increase the risk of injuries, such as existing health issues, past injuries, level of training, etc.
Check the Load
Assess all the characteristics of the load that you are planning to move. Include its size, weight and dimensions in the analysis, along with its stability. Also, take into account whether it has any hazardous materials inside.
Environmental Factors
Analyse the environmental factors that may pose a risk of injury. This includes the floor conditions, stairs, ramps, lighting conditions and any other obstacles on the way.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Manual Handling
Now that we have made a thorough risk assessment, it’s time to lift the object using the kinetic lifting technique. Below is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to execute it safely.
Assess the Item
Check the item that you are about to lift to ensure you can safely lift it. You can move the object by sliding it a little to get an idea of the load. Also, assess the fragility of the object to know whether it is safe for you to lift it alone or if you want a helping hand. If you find the object too heavy for you to move across the path alone, you must engage another person for help.
Clear Your Route
Check your route thoroughly to analyse the distance and other obstacles that can potentially block your path. After that, clear the moveable trip hazards on the floor and on the stairs if they are in the path. In case of long routes, mark the spots where you can stop and take breaks.
Take Your Position
Once the analysis is complete, you can take your position on and around the package to begin lifting. Make sure you keep your feet apart by the width of your shoulders. It is important to remember that do not bend over. Keep your back and neck straight to avoid the risk of spinal injury. Stand in such a way that you are facing the longer side of the object. Bend your knees in a squatting style and put both of your hands on each side of the object. Ensure that you have a good grip and the object is perfectly balanced.
Lift Your Object
Now that you have a good hold on the object start by unbending your knees and slowly lifting your body. Keep the object close to your waist and maintain a straight posture. Do not bend your back; rather, you can balance yourself by changing your centre of gravity by bending your knees. This will eliminate any risk of slip disk or other muscular injuries.
Begin to Move
Take small steps to maintain the balance. Make sure you move as smoothly as you can to keep the whole system in an equilibrium state. This can be a fairly tricky part if you are lifting a heavy object and you have to climb the stairs up or down. If you feel that you are losing balance, immediately place the object down and pick it up again when you feel ready, using the same technique.
Place the Object Back Down
No matter how tempting this may feel, keep in mind that putting your object down quickly may cause a sudden jerk in your body, resulting in muscular problems. Ensure that you smoothly place it down by reversing the same technique that you used to lift it. Bend your knees in a squatting style and place the load down. Keep your keep until the object is safely placed down.
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Useful Tips for Kinetic Lifting
We have listed some important tips that can make this daunting task easy for you. We recommend you keep them in mind while manually handling objects:
- Make sure you assess the load condition and characteristics thoroughly to plan your kinetic lift.
- Keep your legs apart by shoulder-width and stand close to the item with a straight spine. You can slightly move your stronger foot forward to get a good lifting.
- While bending your knees, push your hips back and avoid bending over the object.
- Do not lift the object with your back. Instead, lift it with your legs.
- Keep the item closer to your body, just around your waist.
- Don’t be hasty. Lift and lower the object slowly to avoid any sudden jerks and twists in your body.
Most Common Injuries Associated with Manual Handling
Manual lifting can cause several bodily injuries if tried without proper techniques. These injuries include the following:
- Knee Injuries
- Muscle Strain
- Tendinitis
- Elbow Injuries
- Back Sprains
- Spinal Injuries
- Muscle Pull
- Slip Disk
Wrapping Up!
Kinetic lifting is a useful technique for manually handling objects. However, it requires precision and a careful approach to avoid any injuries or damage. If the object is too heavy, or you have multiple items to move, you can engage professionals at Central Removals to help you with that.