Manual Handling
Manual handling means lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining any object, animal or person.
You are encouraged to use your common sense and not to take unnecessary risks when handling large/heavy objects.
Ensure you follow the following lifting practices:
- Never twist while lifting
- When lifting a child or object do not stretch over and lift, but lean close and raise as close as possible to their body
When lifting you must:
- Place your feet apart in a striding position
- Keep your breastbone elevated
- Bend your knees
- Brace your stomach muscles
- Hold the child or object close to your body
- Move your feet, not your spine, to stand up
- Prepare to move in a forward direction
- You should transfer heavy items to smaller containers to reduce weight
Child Care staff should:
- Kneel where possible rather than bend down
- Restrain from carrying children on their hip
- Lift children using one arm under their buttocks and the other arm to support their backs, with the child facing them
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