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

1. Vraag 1 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 2 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 3 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: A. Your leg muscles

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

4. Vraag 4 van 16

   How should your back be during a lift?

   • AStraight
   • BTwisted to one side
   • CRounded and bent forward
   • DArched far backwards
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: A. Straight

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

5. Vraag 5 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 6 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: A. Straight and pointing downwards

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

7. Vraag 7 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 8 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 9 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 10 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 11 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. They can make gripping harder

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

12. Vraag 12 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 13 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 14 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 15 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 16 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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.

Toetsenbord: 1–4 om te antwoorden, Enter voor de volgende vraag.