Manual Handling

Manual handling injuries are the number one cause of reportable (over 3 days absence from work) injuries in the UK workforce (38%). Results from a survey of self-reported work-related illness (SWI05/06) indicate that in 2005/06 an estimated prevalence of 1,020,000 people in Great Britain suffered from a musculoskeletal disorder which, in their opinion, was caused or made worse by their current or past work.

These injuries can occur in any working environment, such as in offices, laboratories, stores, building sites and while making deliveries, etc.

Risk factors include heavy manual handling, awkward postures / twisting, confined spaces, repetitive actions, previous or existing injuries, lack of training.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) (as amended 2002) require employers to:

• Avoid the need for manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable
• Assess the risk of injury from manual handling and
• Reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable ie: by the use of automation, lifting equipment, workplace design, limiting load sizes and weights, training of employees to use correct techniques and planning of lifts, etc.

Training in lifting technique is a key factor in the prevention of injury

The Health and Safety Office regularly run manual handling training courses and anyone who has manual handling as a regular part of their work should attend one of these courses or a similar course from a qualified provider. It is important that records of training are kept by Departments and that regular refresher training is undertaken every two to three years.

See the Safety Office website for details of training courses and Guidance.

For more information on manual handling see the HSE website including the leaflet Getting to grips with manual handling.

and the leaflet Are you making the best use of lifting and handling aids.