Guidelines For Supervisors – Ensuring Safe Lifting
and Manual Material Handling in the Workplace
1
310-BJS-03-IGPA © 2022, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Guidelines For Supervisors – Ensuring Safe Lifting
and Manual Material Handling in the Workplace
Be An Advocate for Safe Lifting and Manual Material Handling
Make sure workers realize that safe lifting and manual material handling is in their
best interest
Provide a replacement "safe lifting and manual material handling" technique for the
old habit
Address concerns or make modifications as necessary so that new safe lifting and manual
material handling techniques are effective and work well for workers
Post reminders of safe lifting and manual material handling techniques in the workplace
Act as role model
Reward workers and celebrate successes
Encourage workers to always look for alternatives to safe lifting and manual material
handling first
Use the "Observer's Checklist" to help workers make informed safe lifting and manual
material handling decisions
Be a Safe Lifting and Manual Material Handling Coach
Have workers write down the safe lifting and manual material handling techniques they
will change and reasons why they need to change them
Have workers practice a new safe lifting and manual material handling technique on a
regular basis
Observe and provide feedback to workers on their use of safe lifting and manual material
handling techniques using the guidelines provided
– If necessary, record worker's progress to analyze and give feedback on safe lifting and
manual material handling techniques
Coach workers to guard against slipping into auto pilot
– Relearning a new technique takes conscious effort and proper practice
Monitor workers to enforce use of safe lifting and manual material handling techniques
(especially during the initial period when the new techniques are being established)
Teach workers to coach each other (part of a safe work culture)
If necessary, note examples of workers not following safe lifting and manual material
handling techniques and issue warnings or in extreme cases, resort to disciplinary action
Encourage management to assess MSD hazards using simple tools that are available on
www.msdprevention.com
