A Guide to…

Manual Handling

Manual Handling Regulations

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, as amended in 2002, apply to a wide range of manual handling activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.

What’s the problem?

Manual handling injuries affect around 1.1 million people per year

An estimated 9.3 million working days a year are lost due to work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Poor Manual handling can cause Musculoskeletal

Disorders (MSDs) which include problems such as

low back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain

injuries.

Manual Handling Risks

Some of the main areas that cause risks include:

Repetitive & Heavy Lifting

Bending & Twisting

An uncomfortable working position

Repeating an action too frequently

What should I do about it?

Consider the risks from manual handling to the health and safety of employees.

Consult and involve the workforce.

Consider

Consult

Employer Duties

Avoid Assess Reduce

The need for hazardous

manual handling

The risk of injury from any

hazardous manual handling

The risk of injury from hazardous manual handling

Employee Duties

Employees have duties too!

Inform the employer of any hazardous activities

Follow appropriate safe systems of work laid down for their safety

Make proper use of equipment provided for their safety

Ensure activities do not put others at risk

Avoiding Manual Handling

Check whether you need to move it at all…

Does a large workpiece really need to be moved, or can the activity be done safely where it already is?

Can you take the treatment to the patient, not vice versa?

Can raw materials be piped to their point of use?

Avoiding Manual Handling

Think about using handling aids…Hoists

Lift Trucks

Conveyors

Pallet Trucks

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Can handling aids be used?

Where will the load be placed?

Is help needed with the load?

Think before lifting/handling

Think before lifting and handling

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Keep the load close to the waist with the heaviest side next to the body

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Adopt a stable position with feet apart and one leg slightly forward to maintain balance

Get a good hold and start in a good posture

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Don’t flex the back any further while lifting

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Move smoothly and don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed

Keep the head up when handling

Good Handling Techniques - Lifting

Put the load down, then adjust. Slide into desired position

General Risk Assessment Guidelines

Source: HSE