Manual materials handling (MMH) means moving or handling things by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining. Manual materials handling is also the most common cause of occupational fatigue, low back pain and lower back injuries.
What makes manual materials handling hazardous?
MMH is always hazardous but the level of hazard depends on what you are handling, what the task is, and what the conditions are at the workplace or work site.
For example, the material or load that you are handling may be:
- Too heavy for the task that you are doing.
- Located too high or low for a safe lift.
- Too big or may have a shape that makes it hard to handle.
- Wet, slippery, or have sharp edges that makes it hard to grasp.
- Unstable or can shift its center of gravity because it contains material that can flow (e.g., water, sand, a partially filled drum, or concrete in a wheelbarrow, or many objects within a container that are unbalanced or can shift).
- Too big to let you see where you are putting your feet.
The task can make MMH hazardous if a worker:
- Uses poor lifting techniques (lifting too fast, too often or too long; lifting with back bent or while twisting or reaching too far; lifting while sitting or kneeling, etc.).
- Lifts or handles more than they can control safely.
- Does not take appropriate rest breaks; insufficient recovery time.
- Has a combination of handling tasks (e.g. lifting, carrying and lowering).
- Wears clothing that restricts movement or reduces grip strength.
The conditions where you are working can also contribute to hazards of MMH and result in injuries, for example:
- Walking surfaces that are uneven, sloping, wet, icy, slippery, unsteady, etc.
- Differences in floor levels or walking surfaces.
- Poor housekeeping that causes slip, trip and fall hazards.
- Inadequate lighting.
- Cold or very hot and humid working conditions.
- Strong wind or gusty conditions.
- Working at high pace.
- Movement is restricted because of clothing or personal protective equipment.
- Space is small or posture is constrained or both.
For more detailed information on a particular manual materials handling (MMH) topic, click on the document title below:
- MMH – Compact Bags
- MMH – Compact Loads
- MMH – Drums and Barrels
- MMH – General Practice
- MMH – Handholds on Load and Gripping Aids – I
- MMH – Handholds on Load and Gripping Aids – II
- MMH – Health Hazards
- MMH – Hoisting and moving Heavy Objects
- MMH – Introduction
- MMH – Large and Heavy Sacks
- MMH – Layouts for Storing
- MMH – Materials Flow
- MMH – Mechanical Aids for Transporting Materials – I
- MMH – Mechanical Aids for Transporting Materials – II
- MMH – Mechanical Aids: Levers and Rollers
- MMH – Sheet Materials
- MMH – Tall Cylinders
- MMH – Team Handling
- MMH – Work Space Layout