NEBOSH CC Manual Handling & Musculoskeletal Disorders 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a manual handling risk assessment?
- To identify hazardous operations and determine what control measures are needed to reduce injury risk (Correct answer)
- To record all injuries caused by manual handling
- To set weight limits for all workers on site
- To provide training in safe lifting technique
Correct answer: To identify hazardous operations and determine what control measures are needed to reduce injury risk
A manual handling risk assessment identifies all potentially hazardous manual handling operations, assesses the risks using the TILE framework, and determines what control measures are needed to reduce the risk of injury as far as reasonably practicable.
Question 2: How does 'load instability' increase manual handling risk?
- An unstable load may shift unexpectedly, causing the worker to make sudden compensating movements that increase injury risk (Correct answer)
- An unstable load is always lighter than a stable load
- Instability reduces the grip strength required
- An unstable load always triggers an automatic reduction in the permitted lift weight
Correct answer: An unstable load may shift unexpectedly, causing the worker to make sudden compensating movements that increase injury risk
An unstable load (such as a container with liquid, a bundle of loose materials or a load with an unknown centre of gravity) can shift during handling, causing the worker to make sudden, uncontrolled movements to compensate, increasing the risk of muscle strain and loss of control.
Question 3: What is 'stooped working posture' and why is it a risk factor for back injury?
- Working with the spine bent forward; it places excessive compressive and shear forces on the lumbar discs (Correct answer)
- Working in a fully upright position
- Working with arms raised above the head
- Working in a seated position
Correct answer: Working with the spine bent forward; it places excessive compressive and shear forces on the lumbar discs
Stooped posture (bending forward at the waist) places the lumbar spine under significantly increased compressive and shear forces. Prolonged or repeated stooped posture, especially with manual handling, greatly increases the risk of disc damage and lower back pain.
Question 4: What is the effect of frequent twisting during lifting operations?
- Twisting combines bending and rotation forces on the spine, significantly increasing the risk of disc and muscle injury (Correct answer)
- Twisting improves load control and reduces injury risk
- Twisting reduces the load on the lumbar spine
- Twisting is only risky if the load exceeds 25kg
Correct answer: Twisting combines bending and rotation forces on the spine, significantly increasing the risk of disc and muscle injury
Twisting while lifting combines compressive forces from the load with rotational forces on the intervertebral discs and supporting muscles. This combination significantly increases injury risk, especially to the lumbar spine.
Question 5: What does the 'L' in TILE stand for in manual handling risk assessment?
- Load (Correct answer)
- Lifting
- Length
- Level
Correct answer: Load
The 'L' in TILE stands for Load — the characteristics of the object being moved, including its weight, size, shape, centre of gravity, stability and whether it has handles. Load characteristics significantly affect manual handling risk.
Question 6: What role does PPE play in manual handling risk control?
- PPE such as gloves and safety footwear provides limited protection against injury but is not a substitute for eliminating or reducing the hazard (Correct answer)
- PPE is the most effective control measure for manual handling
- Gloves eliminate the risk of manual handling injuries
- PPE removes the need for mechanical handling aids
Correct answer: PPE such as gloves and safety footwear provides limited protection against injury but is not a substitute for eliminating or reducing the hazard
PPE (such as gloves to improve grip and protect hands, and safety footwear to protect feet from dropped loads) provides some protection but is a last resort. It does not reduce the physical demands of the task and cannot substitute for elimination or mechanical assistance.
NEBOSH CC Manual Handling & Musculoskeletal Disorders 3
What is the purpose of a manual handling risk assessment?