Manual Handling

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Sample manual handling proforma

(24 KB, 2 pages)

More than a third of all over-three day injuries reported each year to the enforcing authorities are caused by manual handling. Most of the reported accidents cause back injury, though some relate to arms, hands and feet.

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
Pushing
Pulling
Carrying
Bending
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 etc. of loads be eliminated altogether?
Can the operations be automated or mechanised?

Assessing Hazardous Manual Handling Operations

Where a possibility of injury from Manual Handling Operations 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.

Industry specific data and assessments might prove useful sources of information. The assessment should be recorded and kept readily accessible as long as it remains relevant. It should be noted that assessment is not an end in itself, merely a structured way of analysing risks and pointing the way to practical solutions.

(See sample manual handling proforma).

The booklet L23 - Guidance on Regulations (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992) contains a list of factors that be taken into account when assessing Manual Handling Operations. This booklet is available directly from the HSE, details included below.

In making an assessment you must consider the following:

Task involved
Nature of the load
The working environment
And the physical ability of the individual(s)

Reducing The Risk Of Injury

The guidance in L23 follows the same structured approach as is taken with assessment detailed in the previous section. It is recommended that an ergonomic approach is adopted, fitting the operations to the individual rather than the other way around. Particular consideration should be given to the provision of mechanical assistance where this is reasonably practicable (e.g. sack truck, hand-powered hydraulic hoist).

The workforce should be involved in the process and, again, industry-specific guidance could be a useful source of information. Considerable guidance is contained in booklet L23 (pp20-35) on suggested means to reduce the risk of injury.

Further Sources Of Information

Booklet L23 - Guidance on Regulations - Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (HSE) ISBN 0 7176 2414 3 Available from HSE Books: Tel 01787 881165
Leaflet IND(G) 143 - Getting to grips with manual handling - a short guide for employers (HSE) ISBN 0 7176 1754 8. This can be freely downloaded from http://www.hse.gov.uk/.
HSG 115 - Manual handling - solutions you can handle (HSE) ISBN 0 7176 0693 7.
Book HSG196 Moving food and drink. Manual handling solutions for the food and drinks industries (HSE).ISBN 0 7176 1731 9.
Manual Handling in the catering industry Catering Sheet No 13.

A sample manual handling proforma which can be freely reproduced or adapted to suit your specific environment is also available.