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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