Where are heavy loads manipulated?
Examples are: • lifting and carrying of heavy objects in transportation jobs, construction sites, etc., • transferring persons in health professions, in old-age care and hospital care. Why are heavy loads harmful? Holding and moving of heavy loads requires high muscular force; this may lead to acute overload and/or fatigue of muscles. Examples: Repeated manipulation of heavy bricks in construction work, loading of coffee sacks, cement bags or other loads in ships, containers or lorries During holding and moving of heavy loads, high forces occur in the skeletal system, too. Risk of acute overloading and damage may result. Loadings being incurred over a long period of time may cause or promote degenerative disorders, especially in the low-back area (e.g. when handling loads with a bent back). For the individual risk of manual materials-handling activities, the functional capacity of the working person plays an important role How can heavy loads be handled with low risk for harm? The most
