Manual Handling Assessment correct lifting

Manual Handling Assessments

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 defines manual handling as the transporting of a load (eg by lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving) by hand or bodily force.

A large number of musculoskeletal injuries (injuries to joints, muscles and tendons) are reported each year that are caused or made worse by poor manual handling techniques. Anyone who carries out tasks that involve the moving and handling of goods or people, or tasks that are repetitive or carried out in poor conditions are at risk of injury.

What is a Manual Handling risk assessment?

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 sets out the steps employers must take to protect their workers from the risk of injury or ill health from hazardous manual handling activities.

These are:

  1. avoid the need for manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable
  2. where manual handling operations cannot be avoided, assess the risks of injury in carrying out those operations
  3. reduce the risk of injury from manual handling operations as far as is reasonably practicable.

When do you need a Manual Handling Assessment?

If your workers are carrying out tasks where there is a risk of injury due to moving loads, and that task cannot be avoided, then you will need a manual handling assessment for that task.

Carrying out your Manual Handling Assessments

I can help with all stages of your Manual Handling Risk Assessment process. I can:

  • identify which manual handling tasks can be avoided by changing working practices or equipment
  • decide which manual handling tasks need a risk assessment, using the HSE MAC tool as guidance
  • assess the risks of injury for each task which needs a risk assessment
  • carry out more detailed assessment for specific tasks that involve repetitive movement (using the HSE ART tool) or pushing and pulling (using the HSE RAPP tool)
  • help you put in place any safe working practices and controls identified in your assessment.

Want to learn more about how I can help you?