Manual handling and lifting guide. Gyproc, Thistle, Gypframe, Glasroc and Arteco
are all registered trade names of BPB United Kingdom Limited. Isover is a ...
Gyproc, Thistle, Gypframe, Glasroc and Arteco are all registered trade names of BPB United Kingdom Limited. Isover is a registered trade name of Saint-Gobain.
British Gypsum reserves the right to revise product specifications without notice. The information in this document was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that it remains current prior to use. The information in this document is for guidance only and should not be read in isolation. Users should read and familiarise themselves with all the information contained in this document and ensure that they are fully conversant with the products and systems being used, before subsequent specification or installation. For a comprehensive and up-to-date library of information visit the British Gypsum website at: www.british-gypsum.com
Telephone: 08705 456123 Fax: 08705 456356 E-mail:
[email protected] Training enquiries: 08702 406040
FM 52358
www.british-gypsum.com British Gypsum April 2008 MHG-3648-DL British Gypsum November 2007 3211-CB-01
A Saint-Gobain Company
Manual handling and lifting guide
Contents
Safe systems of work G Wherever possible, place one foot in front of the other to
produce a good base and reduce the pressure on the body.
Introduction
2
G Assess the load by placing your hand on it and moving it.
Safe systems of work
3
G Only handle what you feel you can manage.
Loading and unloading pallets
4
G Initiate movements with your legs, unlocking the knees
Mixing
5
Picking from mid level
7
Handling buckets
7
G Turn instead of twisting and move your feet.
Handling lengths of metal
8
G Let your back find its natural curvature.
and driving with the legs to start the lift. G Keep the load as close, or get as close as possible to the load ,
when lifting or handling.
Handling boards
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G Never lose control of the load.
Carrying boards up / down stairs
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G Always wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Fixing walls
13
Lifting plasterboards into place (including ceilings)
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G Keep your hands warm and dry - dressing warmly in cold
Fixing ceilings
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weather helps stay warm. Wear gloves and change them if they get wet.
Board handling equipment
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as directed on site. G Hard hat and safety shoes required at all times.
G The wearing of gloves avoids cuts. G Wear your safety glasses and dust mask when handling
Introduction
or mixing plaster ingredients and additives or applying ingredients and additives or applying plaster, finishing ceilings or sanding.
British Gypsum recognises the increasing importance of Health and Safety at work. We have, therefore, been working with Pristine Condition, experts in this field, to develop a series of safe systems of work for manual handling and lifting of our products.
G Wear your safety glasses when snipping metal pieces
The simple guidance in this document suggests appropriate methods for handling British Gypsum products, including Gyproc plasterboards, Thistle plasters, Gypframe metal sections, Glasroc boards and Arteco ceiling products.
G Avoid the over specialisation of workers and favour
Information is also included on specialist handling equipment, as featured within the Gyproc Tools Catalogue, available from www.artexltd.com/products/professional_tools_products.aspx
For more detailed information, please refer to the EUROGYPSUM report on manual handling, available to download from www.eurogypsum.org
Please note, the information in this document is provided in good faith, as a guide to good practice. It should be used in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the normal processes of on-site assessment and site safety management. 2
such as corner beads, trims, and wire mesh. G Do not continue to work if your safety glasses become fogged.
Stop work and clean the glasses until the lenses are clear and defogged. multi-purpose tasks. Specialisation leads to monotonous, repetitive jobs. G Rest for 15 seconds, many times throughout the day.
Some studies have shown that micro pauses (short breaks) reduces stress and can lead to an increase in productivity1. G Rotate jobs: if one part of the job requires a lot of
overhead work, switch for a while to an activity that uses different work motions. 1 Musculoskeletal problems in bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers: literature review and results of site visits, Health and Safety Laboratory, Sheffield: Health and Safety Executive, 2001.
All content and imagery in this section has been produced in association with
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Loading and unloading pallets 1
Mixing
Emptying bags into a mixer
PPE: Hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required. Always place one foot forward by operating from the corner of the pallet or placing one foot on the pallet, taking care to ensure that the pallet does not tip in the process.
PPE: Mask, eye protection, hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required.
1
Always place one foot down by the side of the mixing container. Unlock the knees if necessary.
Unlock the knees for low level work. Take a firm grip of the load with both hands.
Turn by moving the feet.
Lift using the legs to start the movement. M
M
Turn by moving the feet.
2
3
Always keep the load close when carrying.
DO NOT EMPTY BAGS WITH FEET IN LINE.
2
DO NOT LIFT WITH FEET IN LINE OR WITH LOAD IN FRONT OF THE FRONT FOOT.
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5
Mixing (continued)
3
Picking from mid level
PPE: Hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required.
When mixing PPE: Mask, eye protection, hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required.
Take a firm grip of the load. Pull the load to a point of pivot (using the legs if necessary).
Keep the foot to the side of the mixing container.
Pivot against the stack.
Maintain a balanced position.
Keep the load close.
M
Unlock the knees if necessary.
M
4
1
Place one foot forward.
DO NOT WORK WITH FEET IN LINE.
Turn by moving the feet
DO NOT TWIST. DO NOT PICK WITH FEET IN LINE.
2
Handling buckets PPE: Hard hat, gloves, high vis and safety shoes required.
1
Always place one foot alongside the bucket before lifting, or pivot the bucket towards you before lifting. Take a firm grip with both hands. If heavy, you may need to tilt and take a grip of the base and the top of the bucket. Start the lift with the legs. Unlock the knees for low level work. Always turn by moving the feet. If taking two buckets, always carry in a balanced manner. Only handle what you can manage. DO NOT CARRY HEAVY OBJECTS ON ONE SIDE. DO NOT TWIST.
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7
Handling lengths of metal
1
Option 2
One person
Place over the shoulder.
PPE: Gloves, hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required.
4
Work your way to the middle (point of balance).
Always approach the lengths of metal from one end. Place one foot forward. Unlock the knees for. low level work. Take a firm grip. Lift using the legs to start the movement.
2
Unlock the knees to rest the stack against the shoulder.
DO NOT PICK FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STACK.
5
Allow the stack to pivot against the shoulder as you stand up.
3
Option 1
Work your way to the middle. Pivot the stack and carry in a balanced manner.
8
Only carry over the shoulder if you can remain upright.
6
Be aware of your surroundings when carrying lengths of metal in this way.
9
Handling lengths of metal
Handling boards
(continued)
7
DO NOT LEAN.
Handling boards
1
One person
PPE: Hard hat gloves, high vis and safety shoes required.
Pull the board in towards yourself. Unlock the knees for low level work. Lift by using the legs. Try handles for carrying drywall. Improve your grip and help to make the lift less awkward. Tools are available to reduce the time you spend in overhead work and holding, to help hold boards in place for fixing1. Use team lifting where appropriate.
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If removing from racks PPE: Gloves, hard hat and safety shoes required. Place one foot forward. Drive with the legs to bring the load to one end. Carry in a balanced manner.
Carry the board in a balanced manner (for large boards, you can support the board on the top of the chest/ shoulder).
2
Only lift what you feel you can manage. If necessary, seek assistance. When stacking boards, position boards sideways slightly in front of you, so you do not have to reach over your head or twist your body to lift them. Position panels to lean flat against a wall and do not wobble or slide. Push and slide panels along their edge or get assistance from a co-worker.
9
Always communicate during the lifts and carrying.
Two person
Operate from the corners of the stack.
3
Unlock the knees for low level work. Lift board together to vertical position. Only lift what you feel you can manage.
1 See Gyproc Tools section within this document.
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Handling boards (continued)
4
Fixing walls
Carry in a balanced manner across the body.
PPE: Eye protection, gloves, hard hat, high vis and safety shoes required.
If walking backwards, ensure it is over the shortest possible distance and clear the route beforehand.
5
1
Operate in a balanced manner. Always keep one foot forward. Unlock the knees for low level work.
DO NOT CARRY HEAVY OBJECTS ON ONE SIDE.
Always work in front of the body. Use appropriate platforms where necessary.
2
DO NOT OVER-REACH OR STRETCH TO THE SIDES OR ABOVE THE HEAD.
Carrying board up/down stairs
1
PPE: Hard hat, gloves, high vis and safety shoes required. Whether going up or down stairs, place one foot forward then bring both feet together on each step. Keep the boards in a balanced manner. Place both feet on each step before moving off to improve control and balance throughout the lift. Work together in timing. Stop wherever necessary (if steps are in poor order, or have a deeper drop, you may need to place the load down first). Only lift what you feel you can manage.
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13
Lifting plasterboards into place (including ceilings) 1
Fixing ceilings
PPE: Eye protection, hard hat and safety shoes required.
Two person operation PPE: Eye protection, hard hat, gloves, high vis and safety shoes required.
Always work in a balanced position. Operate with one foot forward.
Communicate – work together.
Keep the body upright.
Take a firm grip of the board in both hands.
2
1
Always use appropriate platforms where necessary.
DO NOT OVER REACH.
Unlock the knees to place board into position.
2
Always work in front of the body.
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15
Board Handling Equipment Trestle Foldable supports providing a working load capacity of 400kg per trestle.
3
Order Code 19552
The Gyproc Tools specialist range of plasterboard handling equipment has been specifically designed to minimise manual handling of plasterboard and therefore increase safety and efficiency onsite. For more information, please contact the Artex Customer Services Centre on 0800 032 6345.
1
G-In Used to hoist plasterboard from delivery vehicle to required destination.
Transit Bench
4
A combined workbench and board transporter. Order Code 19551
Order Code 19553
2
G-In Truck Used to transport plasterboard to place of installation. Order Code 19550
Branch Rack
5
Suitable for storing strip components off ground, avoiding damage and trips. Ideal for metal stud components. Order Code 19554
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Board Handling Equipment (continued) 6
Board Lift A safe and efficient tool that makes fixing plasterboard to soffit and ceiling linings simple.
Drywall Cart
9
A transporter with a removable vertical support bar. Order Code 15292
Order Code 19408
7
Gyproc Projack
Gyproc Footlifter
Used to assist the fixing of plasterboard overhead.
Used for jacking boards into position.
Order Code 19410
8
Gyproc Jackal Trigger grip board lifter. Order Code 19409
10
Order Code 60381
Gyproc Steel WallBoard Carriers (pair)
11
Allow for easy and safe movement of plasterboard. Order Code 15398
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