Gas cylinders do come in a variety of shape and weights. Unique characteristics of each cylinder can make them awkward object to handle safely. Daily cylinder handling activities may include;
- Repetitive lifting
- Heavy lifting
- Bending
- Twisting
- Applying extreme force
- Too frequent operations
- Inadequate breaks
- Uncomfortable working position
- Adverse working environment (hot, cold, humid etc.)
As you noticed all the listed activities are manual handling activities that may be experienced during lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying and unique manual handling technique of cylinders, called “churning”. In practice, even a simplest cylinder handling operation would include the combination of these above.
Performing these activities in an unsafe manner or over a long period without adequate breaks may result in musculoskeletal disorders, which affects muscles, joints, tendons etc. Upper and lower limb pains, disorder, repetitive strain injuries are examples of work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, also referred to as MSDs.
