Manual Handling Course (EU): Team lifting, pushing, pulling and aids

1. Question 1 of 16

   Which of these is a mechanical handling aid?

   • AA heavier box
   • BA longer carrying route
   • CA pallet truck
   • DA faster work rate
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   Answer: C. A pallet truck

   Pallet trucks, conveyors, hoists, trolleys and vacuum lifters are examples of handling aids.

2. Question 2 of 16

   How should you push a trolley?

   • ALean forward and use your body weight
   • BTwist to one side and push
   • CPush with your arms only, body upright
   • DLean backwards while pushing
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   Answer: A. Lean forward and use your body weight

   EU-OSHA says to use your body weight: lean forward when pushing.

3. Question 3 of 16

   How should you pull a cart?

   • APull with one arm while twisting your body
   • BLean backwards and use your body weight
   • CLean forward over the handle as you walk
   • DBend down low and pull from the wheels
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   Answer: B. Lean backwards and use your body weight

   EU-OSHA says to lean backwards when pulling, so your body weight helps.

4. Question 4 of 16

   At what height should the handles of a trolley be for pushing and pulling?

   • AAt about head height or above it
   • BAt about knee height for most people
   • CAs low as possible, near ankle height
   • DBetween shoulder and waist height
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   Answer: D. Between shoulder and waist height

   Handle height between shoulder and waist lets you push and pull in a good, neutral posture.

5. Question 5 of 16

   EU-OSHA's checklist gives a range for handle or grip height on handling devices. What is it?

   • AOver 200 cm from the floor
   • B90 to 120 cm from the floor
   • C150 to 180 cm from the floor
   • D30 to 60 cm from the floor
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   Answer: B. 90 to 120 cm from the floor

   The checklist says handles or grips should be between 90 cm and 120 cm from the floor.

6. Question 6 of 16

   What kind of floor makes pushing and pulling safer?

   • ALoose gravel
   • BHard, even and clean
   • CWet and polished
   • DSoft and thick carpet
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   Answer: B. Hard, even and clean

   EU-OSHA says floors should be hard, even and clean for pushing and pulling.

7. Question 7 of 16

   What should be true of the wheels on a handling device?

   • AThe right size and running smoothly
   • BAs small as possible to save space
   • CLocked while the device is moving
   • DChecked only once every few years
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   Answer: A. The right size and running smoothly

   Handling devices should be well maintained so that the wheels are the right size and run smoothly.

8. Question 8 of 16

   According to OSHwiki, which change of work method can reduce handling risk?

   • AFrom using conveyors to carrying by hand
   • BFrom rolling a load to carrying it
   • CFrom pushing a load to lifting it
   • DFrom lifting to pushing, then to rolling
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   Answer: D. From lifting to pushing, then to rolling

   OSHwiki gives this order: change from lifting to pushing, and from pushing to rolling.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Before a team lift, what should the team do?

   • ALet each person lift when they feel ready
   • BLet one person decide alone halfway through
   • CAgree the plan so everyone knows what to do
   • DStart lifting and talk it through on the way
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   Answer: C. Agree the plan so everyone knows what to do

   EU-OSHA says that when lifting with someone else, both of you should know what you are doing before you start.

10. Question 10 of 16

    According to EU-OSHA's checklist, which objects suit handling by two or more people?

    • AOnly objects with no handles
    • BSmall, light items
    • CHeavy or bulky objects
    • DOnly objects outdoors
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    Answer: C. Heavy or bulky objects

    The checklist suggests two or more people for heavy or bulky objects, as one of the organisational measures.

11. Question 11 of 16

    The guide weight for one person doing a lift is 20 kg. Using EU-OSHA's checklist, what is the guide for a team of two?

    • A40 kg
    • B30 kg
    • C10 kg
    • D20 kg
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    Answer: B. 30 kg

    The checklist multiplies the one-person limit by 1.5 for two people: 20 x 1.5 = 30 kg. Two people cannot simply lift double.

12. Question 12 of 16

    The guide weight for one person doing a lift is 15 kg. Using EU-OSHA's checklist, what is the guide for a team of three?

    • A22.5 kg
    • B30 kg
    • C15 kg
    • D45 kg
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    Answer: B. 30 kg

    For three people the checklist multiplies the one-person limit by 2: 15 x 2 = 30 kg.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Two workers want to lift a 36 kg load. The one-person guide for this lift is 20 kg. What should they conclude?

    • AIt is fine, because a pair of workers can lift 40 kg
    • BTeam lifts are never allowed under EU law, whatever the weight
    • CIt is over the 30 kg team guide, so find an aid
    • DIt is fine, because each person only takes 18 kg of it
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    Answer: C. It is over the 30 kg team guide, so find an aid

    20 x 1.5 = 30 kg, which is less than 36 kg. EU-OSHA's checklist multiplies the one-person limit by 1.5 for two people, not by 2.

14. Question 14 of 16

    A load is too heavy and too bulky for one person. Which change to the load can help?

    • APack it into a bigger and stronger box
    • BSplit it into smaller units or add handles
    • CRemove the handles to make it smoother
    • DWrap it tightly in slippery plastic film
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    Answer: B. Split it into smaller units or add handles

    OSHwiki lists modifying the load, for example smaller units, a different shape or added handles.

15. Question 15 of 16

    What does OSHwiki say about exoskeletons for lifting?

    • AThey remove all handling risk for the wearer
    • BThey may help, but other measures come first
    • CThey replace the need for a risk assessment
    • DEU law requires them for all heavy lifting
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    Answer: B. They may help, but other measures come first

    Exoskeletons may help with frequent heavy lifting, but they can create new risks and shift strain to other body parts such as the arms.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Your employer provides a sack truck for moving heavy cases. Carrying them by hand would be faster. What should you do?

    • AUse it only when a manager is watching
    • BLeave it for new workers to use
    • CUse the sack truck as you were trained
    • DCarry them by hand to save time
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    Answer: C. Use the sack truck as you were trained

    Article 13 of the Framework Directive says workers must make correct use of the transport equipment and other work equipment provided.

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