Manual handling of loads

Manual handling of loads (MHL) or manual material handling (MMH) involves the use of the human body to lift, lower, carry or transfer loads. The average person is exposed to manual lifting of loads in the work place, in recreational atmospheres, and even in the home. To properly protect one from injuring themselves, it can help to understand general body mechanics.

Manual handling of materials can be found in any workplace from offices to heavy industrial and manufacturing facilities. Often times, manual material handling entails tasks such as lifting, climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose the risk of injury to the back and other skeletal systems which can often lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Musculoskeletal disorders can be defined as often involving strains and sprains to the lower back, shoulders, and upper limbs. According to a U.S. Department of Labor study published in 1990, back injuries accounted for approximately 20% of all injuries in the workplace which accounted for almost 25% of the total workers compensation payouts.

To better understand the potential injuries of manual handling of materials, we must first understand the underlying conditions which can cause the injuries. When an injury occurs from manual handling of materials, it often is a result of one of the following underlying condition(s).

Although musculoskeletal disorder can develop over time, when manual handling of materials, they can also occur after only one activity. Some of the common injuries associated with manual handling of loads include but are not limited to:

In addition to the injuries listed above, the worker can be exposed to soreness, bruises, cuts, punctures and crushing. It can be helpful to think that health comes first, and that one's health is something temporary that must be taken care of.

Although employee's can be exposed to manual handling of materials in any industry or workplace there are workplaces that are more susceptible to hazards of manual material handling. These industries include but are not limited to:

There are multiple tools which can be used to assess the manual handling of material. Some of the most common methods are discussed below in no particular order.

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the United States Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH first published the NIOSH lifting equation in 1991 and went into effect July 1994. NIOSH made changes to the NIOSH lifting equation manual in 2021 which included updated graphics and tables and identified errors were corrected.