Manual Handling Ireland Flashcards

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc caused by poor lifting?

Answer: Severe back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs

A herniated (slipped) disc can cause severe localised back pain, radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs (sciatica), and can be debilitating.

What role does stretching play in preventing manual handling injuries?

Answer: It prepares muscles and joints for physical work, reducing strain risk

Light stretching before manual handling tasks helps prepare muscles and joints for physical exertion, increases flexibility, and reduces the risk of strains and sprains.

What is the danger of lifting with a curved or rounded back?

Answer: It compresses spinal discs unevenly, greatly increasing the risk of disc injury

A curved or rounded back causes uneven compression of the intervertebral discs, increasing pressure on one side and greatly raising the risk of disc herniation.

When should a manual handling risk assessment be reviewed?

Answer: When the task, load, conditions, or workforce change significantly

A manual handling risk assessment should be reviewed whenever there are significant changes to the task, load, working conditions, equipment, or workforce.

What aids can reduce manual handling risks on a construction site?

Answer: Wheelbarrows, pallet trucks, hoists, conveyors, and scissor lifts

Mechanical aids such as wheelbarrows, pallet trucks, hoists, conveyors, scissor lifts, and vacuum lifters all reduce or eliminate the need for manual handling on construction sites.

What information should be on the label of a heavy load?

Answer: The weight of the load, centre of gravity if uneven, and any handling instructions

Heavy loads should be labelled with their weight, centre of gravity (if offset), any special handling instructions, and warnings about contents if applicable.