Manual handling occurs when an individual physically interacts with a load. The term “load” used here describes any object which can be supported in order to remain stationary or moved around as a result of human efforts, it maybe inanimate such as machinery, supplies, tools or animate including human beings. Manual handling involves activities such as lifting, stretching, twisting, pushing, pulling, bending, and hoisting which are common in packaging, assembly, construction work, health care industries etc. Manual handling no matter how simple doesn't support normal human anatomical functions especially with poor posturing.
In Nigeria, vocations related to manual handling account for most of the activities engaged by unskilled laborers such as “Kpon Kpon” – load transporters or “Kole Kole” – waste dispensers. However activities considerably similar to these are often undertaken in the workplace. For instance, in the course of construction jobs, bricklayers are often seen carrying bags of cement (sometimes as many as 2 or 3) on their heads and climbing long staircases; at a assembly plant employees may often carry heavy parts from one place to another, in engineering jobs movement of load such as equipment, or defective parts is a common activity.
In our own part of the world, we seem to ascribe movement of items from bending, stretching to reach an object, lifting objects, balancing objects in both arms and conveying to desired location or otherwise as tasks performed solely by human effort.. When frequently repeated, it leads to problems or conditions that affect the muscles and bony structures. Furthermore, constant strain of bodily structures, misalignment for purposes contrary to normal body function and lack of awareness of possible consequences information logs a rich cocktail for musculoskeletal problems.
Available evidence shows that musculoskeletal problems are the largest single cause of absence from work in developed countries which not surprisingly could translate to a significant cause of seeking help. Musculoskeletal problems like the name suggests are problems involving muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones which could be in any region of the body but usually occurs around joints. Common complaints typifying this problem include pain in the back, arms, legs , neck , fingers with or without swelling and limited movement in the affected part usually not quickly linked back to occupation remains the big issue. As musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like many occupational health conditions can be caused or aggravated by work related factors which if not identified in the hospital leaves opportunities for recurrence.
These risk factors depend on the work environment, tasks involved, load and other elements unique to that environment. Our hot climate, lack of control over task, increased work demands, lack of awareness of these issues and none existent occupational health structure. To say the least, practices within industries in our country are at a disparity from what occurs in the developed world and even other neighboring developing countries.
Examining the information before me presents critical questions about the actual magnitude of these problems in our environment. It therefore remains paramount to apply preventive strategies to curb risk factors. A lot of emphasis is given to manual handling because of the long term effects; moreover anyone who has suffered from this condition carries a greater chance of another episode and should prompt people to prevention. Avoidance of manual handling tasks or an exchange of human effort with machinery such as trolleys, rotary table, hoists, and conveyors remains the most reliable approach before considering other options.
Young individuals performing manual handling when necessary should ensure the lowest part of the arm handling the load remains at the same level of the waist. Lifting should only be attempted from a level an above the knee level to below the elbow, free from poor posturing in a well lit and dry environment. Other contributory steps include the need to carry tasks in an environment free of harm; keep number of people that could be harmed at the minimum especially if the load slips. Older people, women especially if pregnant should stay off manual handling.
Available evidence screams the need for extensive action especially statistics which now show that 70% of Nigeria’s 150,000,000 citizens are in the early phases of their work lives. Furthermore, the occurrence of MSDs rating as a single largest contributor to sickness absence and the low ranking of occupational health consideration in the workplace suggests the potential of this condition to challenge our limited health facilities and revenue generation from lack of productivity. Surely, an improvement of occupational health considerations with a more holistic approach from authorities would help to produce healthier workforce and maximize profit within our work environment not limited to reducing absenteeism but also creating a healthy workforce. This author would argue that an attempt at workplace assessment, risk reduction strategies, workers training and health audits would create a sense of wellbeing in any work environment and confidence for young people to pursue beyond white collar jobs.
Based on the foregoing, enhancing workplace health seems to anchor an unexplored means of reducing operational costs by preventing loss of trained staff, absence for work, cost of compensation and a happier workforce.
Musculoskeletal disorders are largely preventable and manageable.
Just as background checks are performed obligatorily before approving loans so are pre employment tests. Companies, organizations and industries require as a norm that staff undergo pre-employments test before the start of the job. However, Individuals seeking to be employed are have very suspicious of these tests but for their eagerness to pick up fat pay checks would opt out undertake medical tests. These tests are usually misjudged as tools devised by employers to rid sickly employees out of an offer. 
