Manual Handling Guidance

INTRODUCTION

Manual handling activities, i.e. activities which require bodily effort to move, lift or support any load, are COMMON throughout all types of workplaces and account for the highest proportion of lost time injuries - especially back injuries. In many cases, the injuries sustained were preventable.

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, all manual handling activities which involve a risk of injury should be avoided where possible. If it is not possible to avoid the activity, then an assessment of the risks should be carried out, and the risks reduced to the lowest level possible. The assessment should take into account the load (whether animate, i.e. people and animals, or inanimate, i.e. boxes, furniture), the task, the environment in which the activity is performed and the capabilities of the individuals carrying out the task.

Manual handling injuries

Health problems associated with manual handling often, but not always, involve the back; other parts of the body including the neck and shoulders may also sustain injury. Commonly, the injuries build up over a period of time as a result of a succession of poor manual handling techniques; it is less common for one single event to cause injury. The anatomy of the back makes it particularly vulnerable to the pressures and strains of poor manual handling techniques.

Loads

The load is the person, animal or object being lifted, moved or supported. For inanimate loads, the following factors should be considered:

• Weight
• Dimensions, i.e. whether it is bulky/unwieldy
• Flexibility/rigidity
• Shifting/moving weight
• Stability
• Available and effective grip, i.e. presence of handles or straps
• Inherent harmful or awkward properties, i.e. hot or cold, splinters, sharp edges, slippery surfaces.

In addition to the relevant factors listed above, when considering the lifting or moving of animals account should be taken of the likelihood of unpredictable behaviour due to fear etc. For manual handling of people, reference should be made to the separate guidance on this.

While the weight of a load should not be the only point considered for manual handling, numerical guidelines can be useful. The guidelines given below represent values that would normally be expected to be safe and which may be used to indicate whether a more detailed assessment is required.

Task

This is the description of the actual manual handling activity, e.g. lifting boxes, pushing trolleys etc. Many of the body movements involved in a manual handling activity will significantly reduce the ability of a person to safely handle loads. For example, the weight guidelines shown above will be reduced by 20% for a task that involves a 90° twist of the body, or by 50% when someone has to bend or stoop through 90°.

The following task factors should be considered:

• Whether loads are required to be held away from the body
• Twisting
• Reaching upwards, downwards or across, e.g. retrieving heavy files from high, low or wide shelves
• The distance the load has to be carried
• Stooping
• Strenuous pushing or pulling
• Static supporting of a load
• Repetitive activities, i.e. the frequency at which the activity is carried out
• The duration of each activity
• Imposed work rates outside the control of the employees
• Handling while seated
• Team handling.

Environment

The environment in which a manual handling activity is carried out can also have a significant effect on the overall risk. For example, a hot humid environment will increase the likelihood of fatigue over a shift. Similarly, a small cramped working area may mean more bending or stooping, or adoption of a bad working posture. Stairs, steps and other changes in floor level are also important considerations.

The following environmental factors should be considered:

• Restricted working space
• Poor lighting
• Noise
• Changes in floor level, including steps and stairs
• Poorly maintained floor surfaces and other trip or slip hazards
• Very hot or cold temperatures
• High humidity
• Limited furniture layout alternatives
• Poor ventilation
• Wind, rain etc. when work is carried out outdoors.

Individuals

The capability of an individual to perform a manual handling activity must also be established. This may be a delicate process requiring trust and tact - confidentiality must be maintained. The factors listed below outline some of the key considerations. The culture of the organisation should encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own health and safety, and to inform their managers of any relevant problems. This does not absolve the employer from any of his duties, e.g. to provide suitable and sufficient aids, but should assist in the management of manual handling activities.

The following factors should be considered:

• Level of fitness and strength required
• Gender
• Age
• Existing health or other conditions, e.g. heart, stomach, respiratory or back problems
• Pregnancy
• Requirements for the use of protective clothing or equipment which could hinder ability to manually handle a load
• Height and weight
• Training undertaken and any still required
• Knowledge of and familiarisation with, and adherence to, the correct techniques and procedures.

CONTROL MEASURES

The purpose of the risk assessment is to establish adequate and appropriate control measures to eliminate or at least reduce the risks evaluated in the risk assessment.

The following list details common manual handling control measures:

• Drafting and implementing a manual handling policy for the workplace
• Providing mechanical aids, e.g. hoists for lifting and moving people or fork-lift trucks for lifting boxes, etc.
• Splitting larger inanimate loads into smaller units
• Planning the activities and any associated movements and routes
• Ensuring adequate rest and recovery periods
• Getting assistance from colleagues
• Providing comprehensive and comprehensible training, information and instruction - with competent supervision where necessary
• Knowing and accepting personal limitations.

Whatever control measures are introduced, they should be effective and regularly monitored, e.g. by reviewing sickness absence and accident figures or records of equipment purchase, or by questioning employees on the levels of back pain suffered, to ensure their continued effectiveness.

KEY FACTS

• If a manual handling activity with a significant risk of injury cannot be avoided, a risk assessment must be carried out and measures must be taken to reduce the risk to the lowest possible level.
• Injuries are usually cumulative and are caused by repeating an incorrect manual handling technique. It is rarer for an injury to occur from one occasion of manual handling.
• The risk assessment should take into consideration the load to be handled, the task being carried out, the environment it is being carried out in and individual capabilities.
• Various control measures may be introduced to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury through manual handling. These include a number of mechanical and functional aids, e.g. fork lift trucks, trolleys and handling boards.
• Employees should be encouraged to notify their supervisor of any tasks which they consider present a significant risk of manual handling injury.

See also:

Manual Handling Operations Policy.

Manual Handling Operations Procedure.