Manual Handling Assessments

The HSE says ‘Manual Handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries. These include work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as pain and injuries to arms, legs and joints, and repetitive strain injuries of various sorts.’

The term manual handling covers a wide variety of activities including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying. If any of these tasks are not carried out appropriately there is a risk of injury. 

Manual Handling injuries can have serious implications for the employer and the person who has been injured. They can occur almost anywhere in the workplace and heavy manual labour, awkward postures, repetitive movements of arms, legs and back or previous/existing injury can increase the risk. 

The regulations set out a clear ranking of measures for dealing with risks from manual handling, these are:

• First: avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable;
• Second: assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; and
• Third: reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Employees must receive information on the risks and controls of their working activities and provided with information on lifting techniques. 

If you need help, let us know, we can provide written Manual Handling assessments and Manual Handling training.