Manual handling
More than a third of all over three day injuries reported each
year are caused by manual handling. Most of the reported
accidents cause back injury, though some relate to arms, hands and
feet.
Regulations
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require
employers to conduct a risk assessment on all work activities which
involve the moving of loads by:
- Lifting
- Carrying
- Pushing
- Bending
- Pulling
- Twisting
Employers are subject to a clear hierarchy of measures to meet
duties under the regulations:
- To avoid hazardous Manual Handling Operations so far as is
reasonably practicable
- To assess any hazardous Manual Handling Operations that cannot
be avoided
- To reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably
practicable
Avoiding hazardous manual handling operations
Please consider the following
- Can the movement of loads be eliminated altogether.
- Can the operations be automated or mechanised.
Assessing hazardous manual handling operation
Where a possibility of injury from manual handling opperations
is indicated a more specific assessment should be carried
out. This is distinct from the everyday judgements which
supervisors and others will have to make dealing with manual
handling operations. It needs to be broad in approach,
identify measures to deal with problems likely to arise and include
training provisions. In making the assessment you must consider the
following:
- Task Involvement
- The working enviroment
- Nature of the load
- The physical ability of the individual(s)
The workforce should be involved in the process and particular
consideration should be given to the provision of mechanical
assistance where this is reasonable practicable (e.g. sack truck,
hand powered hydraulic hoist etc.)