CITB Manual Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does team lifting require in addition to physical assistance?
- A written permit to work before lifting can begin
- One designated leader to coordinate the lift with clear communication about when to lift, move, and set down (Correct answer)
- All team members to hold CSCS cards
- Written risk assessment approved by the site manager
Correct answer: One designated leader to coordinate the lift with clear communication about when to lift, move, and set down
Team lifts need one person to give instructions so everyone lifts, moves, and lowers simultaneously, preventing twisting, uneven loading, and dropped loads.
Question 2: What is 'repetitive strain injury' (RSI) in the context of manual handling?
- A single acute injury caused by one heavy lift
- A cumulative musculoskeletal disorder caused by repeated use of the same muscles, tendons, or nerves over time (Correct answer)
- An injury caused by incorrect posture on a single occasion
- A type of electric shock injury
Correct answer: A cumulative musculoskeletal disorder caused by repeated use of the same muscles, tendons, or nerves over time
RSI develops gradually through repeated, often low-force movements that overload muscles and tendons over time.
Question 3: Which practice best reduces the risk of injury when pushing a load on a wheeled trolley?
- Pushing from below waist height with a straight back
- Keeping the load height manageable, using smooth floors, and pushing rather than pulling where possible (Correct answer)
- Always pulling the trolley facing forward with arms extended
- Loading the trolley as fully as possible to reduce the number of trips
Correct answer: Keeping the load height manageable, using smooth floors, and pushing rather than pulling where possible
Pushing is generally safer than pulling because posture is better aligned; smooth, level surfaces reduce effort, and appropriate load heights prevent awkward postures.
Question 4: An employee reports back pain related to a manual handling task. What action should the supervisor take first?
- Advise the employee to see a GP after their shift ends
- Stop the task, review the risk assessment, and seek medical advice for the employee (Correct answer)
- Tell the employee to use a back support belt and continue
- Record the complaint but take no immediate action
Correct answer: Stop the task, review the risk assessment, and seek medical advice for the employee
Reported pain signals that the current system of work has a problem; the supervisor must stop the task, review the risk assessment, and arrange medical attention for the employee.
Question 5: What does 'load coupling' refer to in a manual handling assessment?
- Connecting two loads with strapping for joint lifting
- How easy or difficult it is for the handler to grip and hold the load securely (Correct answer)
- The weight distribution between two team lifters
- Attaching a load to a hoist or mechanical device
Correct answer: How easy or difficult it is for the handler to grip and hold the load securely
Coupling refers to the interface between the handler and the load — good coupling such as handles reduces risk; poor coupling such as slippery surfaces significantly increases injury risk.
Question 6: The guideline weights published by the HSE for manual lifting are:
- Absolute legal limits that must never be exceeded
- Reference values that may be exceeded only where a full risk assessment justifies it and risk is controlled (Correct answer)
- Targets to achieve through training
- Minimum weights before mechanical aids are required
Correct answer: Reference values that may be exceeded only where a full risk assessment justifies it and risk is controlled
HSE guideline weights are benchmarks, not legal limits — exceeding them increases injury risk and should trigger a more detailed risk assessment and additional control measures.
CITB Manual Handling 2
What does team lifting require in addition to physical assistance?