Manual Handling Course (EU): Safe lifting and carrying technique

1. Question 1 of 16

   What should you do before you lift a load?

   • APick it up first, then decide where it goes
   • BAsk a colleague to time how fast you are
   • CPlan the route and check it is clear
   • DLift quickly to get the job over with
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   Answer: C. Plan the route and check it is clear

   EU-OSHA says to plan and prepare: know where you are going and make sure the route is clear of obstacles.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Where should your feet be when you lift a box from the floor?

   • AOne foot resting on top of the load
   • BClose together, with your legs kept straight
   • CWell back, so that you reach out to it
   • DAround the load, with your body over it
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   Answer: D. Around the load, with your body over it

   Put your feet around the load with your body over it, or get as close to it as possible.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Which muscles should do most of the work when you lift from low down?

   • AYour leg muscles
   • BYour wrist muscles
   • CYour neck muscles
   • DYour lower back muscles
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   Answer: A. Your leg muscles

   EU-OSHA's technique is to use the muscles of your legs when lifting.

4. Question 4 of 16

   How should your back be during a lift?

   • AStraight
   • BTwisted to one side
   • CRounded and bent forward
   • DArched far backwards
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   Answer: A. Straight

   Keep your back straight and let your legs do the work.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Where should you hold the load when you lift and carry it?

   • AOut to one side, away from your legs
   • BAs close to your body as possible
   • CAt arm's length in front of your chest
   • DRaised above your head with both hands
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   Answer: B. As close to your body as possible

   Pull the load as close as possible to your body. A load held far away needs more force and loads the spine more.

6. Question 6 of 16

   How should your arms be when you lift and carry a box?

   • AStraight and pointing downwards
   • BStretched forward as far as they go
   • COne arm under the box, one arm free
   • DBent, with elbows at shoulder height
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   Answer: A. Straight and pointing downwards

   EU-OSHA says to lift and carry the load with straight arms turned downward.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Before lifting, what should you check about your grip?

   • AThat hands, load and handles are not slippery
   • BNothing, because only the weight really matters
   • CThat the load is damp so that it sticks better
   • DThat you are wearing a pair of gloves, any kind
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   Answer: A. That hands, load and handles are not slippery

   Make sure you have a good grip and that hands, load and handles are not slippery.

8. Question 8 of 16

   You need to put a box on a bench behind you. How should you turn?

   • ATwist at the waist while holding the box
   • BTwist round first, then lift the box up
   • CSwing the box round quickly to save time
   • DMove your feet so your whole body turns
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   Answer: D. Move your feet so your whole body turns

   Twisting the trunk is a risk factor. EU-OSHA advises moving your feet rather than twisting.

9. Question 9 of 16

   A box has no weight marked on it. What should you do before lifting it?

   • AAssume it is light because it has no label
   • BLook at it and judge the weight
   • CKick it first to see how easily it moves
   • DLift it fast in case it turns out heavy
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   Answer: B. Look at it and judge the weight

   EU-OSHA's checklist says workers should observe objects and judge the weight and force needed before they start.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Why is carrying a stack of boxes that blocks your view risky?

    • AYou may slip, trip or bump into things
    • BIt is a risk only when lifting as a team
    • CIt makes each of the boxes heavier to carry
    • DStacks are a problem only when outdoors
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    Answer: A. You may slip, trip or bump into things

    A load that blocks your view increases the risk of slips, trips, falls and collisions.

11. Question 11 of 16

    What does OSHwiki say about wearing gloves for handling?

    • AThey always improve your grip on any load
    • BThey remove the need for handles on loads
    • CThey must never be worn for handling work
    • DThey can make gripping harder
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    Answer: D. They can make gripping harder

    Gloves can protect against sharp, hot or cold loads, but they can also make gripping harder.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Why can loose sleeves be a problem in handling work?

    • AThey are required by the Directive
    • BThey can catch on loads or devices
    • CThey have no effect on handling at all
    • DThey keep arms warm, which adds risk
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    Answer: B. They can catch on loads or devices

    EU-OSHA's checklist warns that loose clothing can get caught, and Annex II lists unsuitable clothing as a risk factor.

13. Question 13 of 16

    You must lift a box from near the floor, outside the ideal lifting zone. What does EU-OSHA's checklist say about the weight?

    • AIt should be adjusted to a lighter load
    • BIt can be heavier, as your legs do the work
    • COnly a team of three may lift it there
    • DThe same weight as in the ideal zone is fine
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    Answer: A. It should be adjusted to a lighter load

    The ideal zone is between knuckle and elbow height, close to the body. When lifting in a different zone, the checklist says the weight should be adjusted, so the load should be lighter.

14. Question 14 of 16

    A worker stands on a wobbly crate to lift a box from a shelf. Why is this a risk?

    • AIt only makes the task a little slower
    • BEffort in an unstable posture adds risk
    • CIt is a risk only for loads over 30 kg
    • DIt is safe as long as it is done quickly
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    Answer: B. Effort in an unstable posture adds risk

    Annex I lists effort made with the body in an unstable posture, and an unstable floor or foot rest, as risk factors.

15. Question 15 of 16

    You must carry a half-full drum of liquid. Why does it need extra care?

    • AIt is lighter, so it is always safer
    • BLiquids never affect a person's balance
    • COnly completely full drums are a risk
    • DThe liquid can shift suddenly
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    Answer: D. The liquid can shift suddenly

    Annex I of the Directive lists a load with contents likely to shift as a risk factor, because it can move suddenly and unbalance you.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Workers twist to the side with every box because two benches form an L-shape. What does EU-OSHA suggest?

    • AAsk the workers to twist more slowly
    • BCarry two boxes at a time to save trips
    • CPut the benches side by side
    • DSpeed up the line to shorten the task
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    Answer: C. Put the benches side by side

    EU-OSHA's checklist gives this example: put tables side by side instead of in an L-shape so that people move their feet instead of twisting.

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