Segurança, higiene e saúde no trabalho sector da construção civil

Example of good EU practice

Occupational risk assessment for manual handling of loads
Key indicator method - LMM
During manual handling of heavy objects (their lifting, holding, moving and setting down), there is a risk of injuries to, or disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the lumbar spine. In order to assess the said risk and undertake preventative measures, in Germany the key indicator method (LMM) was developed and implemented into everyday practice a few years ago. (This method, used in the assessment of manual pulling and pushing of loads was presented in “Labour Inspector” no. 9/2005). Owing to its advantages – universal nature, ease of application and the positive results achieved – it has become popular not only in German enterprises. It is, therefore, worthwhile to present it to Polish employers too. While using this method in Polish conditions, one has to conform to the norms and limitations (bans) specified in the following ordinances: • of Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 14 March 2000 on occupational safety and health during manual transportation work (Journal of Laws No. 26, item 313 with amendments), • of the Council of Ministers of 10 September 1996 on the list of types of work particularly arduous or hazardous to women’s health (Journal of Laws No. 114, item 545 with amendments), • of the Council of Ministers of 24 August 2004 on the list of types of work forbidden to juvenile workers and the conditions of engaging juveniles in some of them (Journal of Laws No. 200, item 2047). The key indicator method (LMM) used in the assessment of occupational risk during manual handling of loads consists in specifying the weight (an indicator expressed in points) of four different factors (parameters) of physical stress which occur during manual handling tasks, i.e.: • time, • load (mass), • body posture, • conditions of performing work – on the basis of which rating is calculated, which allows to classify a particular task into one