Site Safe Manual Handling NZ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'musculoskeletal disorder' (MSD)?
- An injury or condition affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, or spinal discs (Correct answer)
- A mental health condition caused by stress
- A respiratory condition caused by dust
- A skin condition caused by chemical exposure
Correct answer: An injury or condition affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, or spinal discs
Musculoskeletal disorders affect the body's movement system — muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. They can result from manual handling, repetitive tasks, and sustained awkward postures.
Question 2: What is 'team lifting' and when should it be considered?
- Two or more people lifting a load together when it is too heavy, awkward, or large for one person (Correct answer)
- A competitive lifting exercise for team building
- A method where team members take turns lifting
- Lifting with the help of mechanical equipment
Correct answer: Two or more people lifting a load together when it is too heavy, awkward, or large for one person
Team lifting involves two or more people coordinating to lift a load together. It should be considered when the load is too heavy, large, or awkward for one person, though mechanical aids should be considered first.
Question 3: What should a worker do if they cannot safely handle a load alone?
- Stop, assess the situation, and either get help from another worker, use a mechanical aid, or break the load into smaller parts (Correct answer)
- Try to lift it anyway to avoid delaying work
- Ask someone smaller to do it instead
- Leave the load where it is and walk away
Correct answer: Stop, assess the situation, and either get help from another worker, use a mechanical aid, or break the load into smaller parts
If a load cannot be safely handled alone, the worker should stop and consider alternatives: getting assistance from others, using mechanical aids (trolleys, hoists), or breaking the load into smaller, manageable parts.
Question 4: What is 'repetitive strain injury' (RSI)?
- A condition caused by performing the same movement repeatedly, leading to damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves (Correct answer)
- An injury from a single heavy lift
- A burn caused by friction
- A cut caused by handling sharp objects repeatedly
Correct answer: A condition caused by performing the same movement repeatedly, leading to damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves
RSI is a general term for conditions caused by repetitive movements, sustained or awkward postures, or forceful exertions. Common examples include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and epicondylitis.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a manual handling risk assessment?
- To identify manual handling tasks that could cause injury and determine appropriate controls (Correct answer)
- To measure how much weight each worker can lift
- To test workers' physical fitness
- To calculate how many workers are needed for a shift
Correct answer: To identify manual handling tasks that could cause injury and determine appropriate controls
A manual handling risk assessment systematically identifies tasks that pose a risk of musculoskeletal injury, evaluates the level of risk, and determines appropriate controls to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
Question 6: Why should loads be held close to the body during manual handling?
- Because holding loads away from the body significantly increases the strain on the spine and muscles (Correct answer)
- Because it looks more professional
- Because it prevents the load from getting dirty
- Because it is a legal requirement in NZ
Correct answer: Because holding loads away from the body significantly increases the strain on the spine and muscles
Holding a load close to the body reduces the leverage effect on the spine. The further a load is from the body, the greater the force the back muscles must exert, dramatically increasing the risk of injury.
Site Safe Manual Handling NZ 2
What is a 'musculoskeletal disorder' (MSD)?