CART What is Manual Handling?
What is Manual Handling?
When asked, “What is manual handling?”, the term encompasses any physical activity where a load must be transported or supported using bodily force. This includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, moving, or carrying various items.
Manual handling at work has a tremendous amount of risk, which makes training and task evaluations through risk assessments essential in helping to prevent injury.
Manual handling injuries are a huge concern in workplace safety, and account for over one-third of all workplace injuries. These frequently include work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which can cause significant discomfort and impair various body parts such as the arms, legs, and joints. Improper manual handling practices also lead to repetitive strain injuries, amongst others.
Some aspects of manual handling operations include:
- What is Manual Handling? Manual handling is defined as the various activities involved in transporting or supporting a load through physical means. This load can consist of a wide range of items, including but not limited to people, objects, or animals. The process often involves the application of bodily force, which may include actions such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning.
- Common Activities: Typical examples of manual handling activities include lifting boxes, lowering equipment to the ground, pushing carts, pulling heavy machinery, moving tools or materials, and carrying items from one location to another.
- Load Definition: In this context, a "load" refers to a diverse array of movable objects that necessitate physical handling. This includes, but is not limited to, items such as cardboard boxes of various sizes that might contain personal belongings or commercial goods, packages that require careful transportation to ensure their integrity, and pieces of furniture like sofas, tables, and chairs that may need to be rearranged or relocated. Additionally, the term covers equipment such as machinery, tools, or appliances that require careful manoeuvring during transport. Moreover, it can extend to living beings, including people who may need assistance in moving or transporting them safely, as well as animals that require careful handling during transit. Ultimately, any material that necessitates the act of pushing, pulling, or otherwise relocating falls under the definition of a load.
- Risk Factors: The risk of injury associated with manual handling tasks is significantly heightened by several factors. One major contributor is the lifting of heavy weights, which can place immense strain on the musculoskeletal system. Additionally, maintaining awkward postures, such as bending, twisting, or reaching, can lead to improper body alignment and elevate the likelihood of injury. Performing repetitive motions over extended periods further compounds the risk, as it can result in fatigue and overuse injuries in muscles and joints. Furthermore, utilising inadequate handling techniques, such as improper lifting methods or failing to use available assistive devices, can exacerbate these risks. Workers must be trained to recognise and address these risk factors in order to develop and implement effective prevention strategies that promote safety and reduce the incidence of injuries in manual handling tasks.
- Importance of Proper Lifting and Lowering Techniques: Implementing proper lifting techniques is essential for minimising the risk of injury in both the workplace and everyday environments. Key practices include maintaining a straight back to promote proper spinal alignment and reduce strain, which helps to protect the lower back. Instead of bending at the waist, it’s essential to bend the knees and squat down to pick up a load; this distributes the weight more evenly and utilises the strength of the legs, which are better equipped to handle heavy weights. Additionally, ensure that the load is held as close to the body as possible, ideally at waist level. This position minimises the leverage effect that distance can create, reducing the strain on the back and improving balance. When handling heavy or bulky items, utilising mechanical aids such as dollies, forklifts, or hoists can significantly enhance safety and efficiency. Training in these techniques is invaluable, as it not only raises awareness about safe practices but also ensures that workers are equipped with the knowledge needed to lift correctly.
- Legislation: Manual handling operations are regulated by crucial health and safety legislation, primarily the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. The Health and Safety at Work Act establishes a broad framework for workplace safety, requiring employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. Within this framework, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations provide specific guidelines aimed at minimising the risk of injury during manual handling tasks. These regulations require employers to assess the risks associated with manual handling operations and implement suitable measures to mitigate these risks. This includes providing employees with information and training on safe manual handling techniques, such as proper lifting posture, effective carrying methods, and the use of mechanical aids when necessary. Additionally, employers are required to consider factors such as the weight and size of the loads, the environment in which the handling occurs, and the frequency of the tasks to ensure a comprehensive approach to employee safety.
What is Manual Handling Legislation?
Manual handling is a mandatory part of health and safety training, and it’s the employer’s legal responsibility to provide it to all UK employees. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, all employees must be trained and competent in manual handling.
The principal legislation governing manual handling practices in the United Kingdom is encapsulated in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR). This regulation outlines the obligations of both employers and employees to effectively manage the risks associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling loads in the workplace.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the key components:
- Duty to Avoid: Employers have a fundamental responsibility, as far as is reasonably practicable, to eliminate manual handling tasks whenever possible. This could involve redesigning work processes or utilising mechanical aids to handle loads safely.
- Duty to Assess: In instances where manual handling cannot be avoided, it is imperative for employers to conduct thorough risk assessments. This involves systematically identifying hazards related to manual handling tasks, evaluating the risks they present, and determining who might be affected by these hazards.
- Duty to Reduce Risks: Following the identification of risks, employers must implement measures to mitigate these risks to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. Strategies may include providing appropriate training, ensuring proper ergonomic practices, and using suitable lifting equipment.
- Employee Responsibility: Employees also bear a significant role in fostering a safe working environment. They are expected to adhere to safe work practices, utilise equipment as instructed, and actively report any concerns or unsafe conditions related to manual handling to their employer to promote workplace safety.
- General Health and Safety: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 serves as the overarching legislative framework governing health and safety in the workplace. It mandates that employers ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees while they are at work, which encompasses all aspects of manual handling.
- Relevant Regulations: In addition to MHOR, other pertinent regulations, such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), may also apply, depending on the specific context of the manual handling activities being performed. These regulations provide further guidelines on the safe use of lifting equipment and the responsibilities of employers to maintain safe working conditions.
