Manual Handling, Ergonomics and PPE
Avoiding hazardous handling, designing tasks and workstations, and selecting PPE for residual risk.
How to prepare for the CITB MAP test
Build manager-level decisions around role, prevention, coordination, verification and learning rather than memorising isolated site rules.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Hazardous manual handling should be avoided where reasonably practicable, then assessed and reduced through design and mechanical assistance.
Exam cue: Change delivery, storage, package size, access or lifting method before teaching technique.
Concept 2
Load, task, individual, environment and equipment factors interact; there is no single universal safe lifting weight.
Exam cue: Consider repetitive, awkward, team and pushing or pulling tasks as well as lifting.
Concept 3
PPE is selected from residual hazards, must fit the user and work together with other protective equipment.
Exam cue: Check compatibility, fit, maintenance, training and replacement for PPE.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Using a memorised weight limit as proof a lift is safe.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Solving poor materials logistics only with manual-handling training.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Combining PPE items that break one another's seal or fit.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Memory anchors
Avoid Before Assess
Remove hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable.
Task, Load, Individual, Environment
Assess the whole handling situation rather than weight alone.
Design the Delivery
Packaging, offload point, storage height and access determine later handling risk.
Mechanical Aid Needs Planning
Choose suitable equipment and provide room, maintenance and competence to use it.
PPE for Residual Risk
Protective equipment follows elimination and engineering controls.
Fit and Compatibility
Each item must fit the wearer and work with all other required PPE.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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