Manual materials handling (MMH) is a component of many jobs and activities. Typically, it involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying objects by hand and covers a wide range of situations including construction, office work, and daily living.

 

This course explains many risk factors involved in lifting and handling materials. It discusses ways to move materials safely and examines hazard control in the workplace. This guide explains many ways to keep our backs and muscle groups healthy and safe while we work. An important goal of this course is to help students find ways to create safe workplaces.

 

Manual materials handling, or MMH tasks, are encountered regularly on and off the job. The one thing that all MMH tasks have in common is the potential for injury, from simple cuts, bruises and sore muscles to more serious conditions related to low back pain (LBP). Almost half of all low back injuries are related to lifting, about another 10 percent are associated with pushing and pulling activities, and another 6 percent occur while holding, wielding, throwing or carrying materials. This course introduces the student to safe methods of handling and lifting and when to avoid lift altogether

The student will learn about different risks associated with manual materials handling, including, personal risk factors, environmental risk factors, and workplace risk factors. 

 

The student will learn about safe lifting techniques.  

 

The student will learn about the 1991 NIOSH lifting equation.  

 

The student will learn about hazard identification including, records review, incidence and severity rates, and worksite and task analysis.  

 

The student will learn about pushing, pulling and carrying loads, MMH assistive technologies, and two and four wheeled transportation devices.  

 

The student will learn about different techniques of hazard control prevention, including load guidance, workplace design, administrative controls, job design, worker selection, PPE, back belts, and medical management.