Assessing risks manual handling

Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to main content. Phone us free on Search. Some of our services are paused. Please see our services update page for more details. Manual handling Precautions you can take and legal obligations you must follow when requiring employees to engage in manual handling tasks.

Page Image. Manual handling risk assessment Controlling manual handling risks Good lifting technique Manual handling legal obligations Page Content. Manual handling risk assessment Anyone involved in the moving and handling of goods including moving people could be at risk of injury. Order of controls for manual handling risks The Manual Handling Operations Regulations requires that employers should follow this order of control measures to deal with manual handling risks.

Assessing manual handling risks A manual handling assessment is required when you cannot avoid a manual handling task and there is a risk of injury. Next 2. Controlling manual handling risks. How can we improve this page? Related How can we help you Risk assessment Muscles, bones and joints Mental health.

Subscribe to receive updates on our services and activities Get updates. Contact us For information on workplace health, safety and wellbeing, you can speak to one of our specialist advisors. Message us Phone us free on Follow us Facebook Twitter. See More. Home » Reduce the Risk HoverMatt Air Patient Transfer. Raizer II Lifting Chair. TrenGuard Patient Positioning System. Published January 11th Your compare list. Manual handling refers to the process of an employee transporting or supporting something.

This could mean lifting something, putting something down, pushing, pulling, or carrying something; if something is being moved, it is being manually handled.

The nature of how things can be moved means that it can involve risks in the form of injury to the employee, which is why it is such an important topic for employers to be aware of. Paying close attention to this issue means that you can avoid any potential problems, and keep a fit and healthy workforce as a result. The manufacturing sector is where the problem remains prominent.

The tasks conducted require people to engage in different physical activities to get the work done, one of which is manual handling. Not all manual handing is hazardous, but in some cases the employee may have to take on a considerable amount of handing such as lifting something heavy above shoulder height — these cases are where problems can happen. Not only are manual handling accidents a hindrance to the individual, as they are left injured and unable to work for a considerable amount of time, but they cause a massive drain on resources for the employers.

This is because they have to cover costs towards the days lost, a decrease in productivity, legal fees, and the cost of training or retraining.

The manageability and preventability of manual handling means that it represents an opportunity for cost reduction. These problems can occur in the first place for these five reasons, all areas that can easily be dealt with by employers:. No risk assessment of work activities 2. Lack of safe system of work plans 3. Mechanical aids were not provided and maintained 4. Adequate training was not provided 5. No evidence of work supervision. There are certain characteristics that can result in something being seen as risk-prone when it comes to manual handling:.

The injuries that can come from these manual handling activities are primarily to the back.