CITB Manual Handling and Lifting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When carrying out a team lift, what is the most important factor?
- All team members should be the same height
- One person should coordinate the lift and give clear instructions (Correct answer)
- The strongest person should take the heaviest end
- Team lifts should involve at least four people
Correct answer: One person should coordinate the lift and give clear instructions
In a team lift, one person must act as the coordinator, giving clear verbal instructions (e.g., 'lift on three'). Without coordination, team members may lift at different times or speeds, causing uneven loading and increasing injury risk.
Question 2: What should you do if a load is too heavy for you to lift safely on your own?
- Lift it anyway but do it quickly
- Drag it along the floor to the destination
- Use a mechanical aid or ask for help (Correct answer)
- Wear a back support belt and proceed
Correct answer: Use a mechanical aid or ask for help
If a load is too heavy to lift safely alone, you should use a mechanical aid (trolley, pallet truck, hoist) or arrange a team lift. Never attempt to lift beyond your capability — back support belts do not prevent injury from overloading.
Question 3: What is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)?
- A skin condition caused by contact with chemicals
- An injury or condition affecting muscles, joints, tendons, or the spine (Correct answer)
- A respiratory illness from dust exposure
- A mental health condition caused by stress at work
Correct answer: An injury or condition affecting muscles, joints, tendons, or the spine
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or spinal discs. They are the most common occupational health problem in the UK construction industry and are frequently caused by poor manual handling practices.
Question 4: When carrying a load, where should you position it relative to your body?
- At arm's length to see where you are going
- As close to your body as possible (Correct answer)
- Above shoulder height for better balance
- To one side to keep your vision clear
Correct answer: As close to your body as possible
Keeping the load close to your body reduces the strain on your back and arms. The further a load is from your body, the greater the leverage effect on your spine, which dramatically increases the forces on your lower back.
Question 5: Repetitive manual handling tasks can lead to which type of injury?
- Burns
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI) and cumulative trauma (Correct answer)
- Electric shock
- Skin dermatitis
Correct answer: Repetitive strain injury (RSI) and cumulative trauma
Repetitive manual handling tasks can cause repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and cumulative trauma disorders affecting tendons, muscles, and nerves. These develop gradually over time and can become chronic if the repetitive activity continues without adequate rest or task variation.
Question 6: What should be done about manual handling risks identified during a risk assessment?
- Record them and review only if an accident occurs
- Implement control measures to reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Inform workers and take no further action
- Ban all manual handling on the site
Correct answer: Implement control measures to reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, identified risks must be controlled so far as is reasonably practicable. This might include mechanical aids, job rotation, training, redesigning the task, or reducing load weights.
CITB Manual Handling and Lifting 2
When carrying out a team lift, what is the most important factor?