HS&E Operatives practice question: Manual handling (2 of 7)
B. Occupational health A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
Your gang has to move 300 concrete blocks, each weighing more than 20 kg, to where the bricklayers are working.
What should happen first?
Choose one answer.
AA. Plan to move them by machine, not by hand
BB. Two people lift each block together to share the weight
CC. Each person wears a back support belt
DD. Everyone lifts with their knees bent and back straight
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A
A. Right: Right. HSE says avoid, replace and mechanise lifting, in that order. Heavy blocks should be moved by machine, and lighter blocks chosen where they will do the job.
B. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says two-person lifting of blocks is no longer recommended. It is hard to share the weight evenly and both people are still at risk.
C. Wrong: Wrong. A belt does not make a heavy lift safe. The lifting should be avoided or done by machine where possible.
D. Wrong: Wrong. Good technique helps, but it does not make lifting hundreds of heavy blocks safe. Avoid or mechanise the lifting first.
Explanation
Avoid manual handling where you can, then use machines or lighter loads. Good lifting technique is for the handling that is left, not a replacement for planning.