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Manual handling

Fencing requires strength and stamina. Maintaining a high level of fitness is vital to successfully completing a fencing job that may take days or weeks. However, the fittest worker can suffer severe injuries from poor manual handling techniques.

Fencing materials are often heavy and awkward to lift and carry, especially over uneven terrain. Many fencing tasks require repeated actions or a great deal of bending and twisting.

Hazard	Moving heavy and awkward objects, eg strainer posts
Risks	Manual handling injuries
PPE	Work boots, leather gloves
Risk controls	Use machinery where possible to move and position strainer posts. Ask for help. Learn handy tips and techniques from experienced workers. Use correct posture when lifting.

Hazard	Repeated action, eg hand driving steel posts
Risks	Manual handling injuries
PPE	Work boots, leather gloves
Risk controls	Use the post driver correctly. Take frequent and adequate breaks. Ask for help or share the job with someone else. Never try to prove yourself to the boss or work mates.

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