Manual handling isn’t just lifting boxes, transporting equipment, or working on a production line – if done incorrectly, it can have unforeseen risks that can put your team’s physical health and wellbeing in danger.
In the world of occupational safety, employers have a responsibility to shield their workforce from the risks associated with hazardous manual handling. This encompasses a wide array of activities involving the transportation or support of loads using your hands and body, including lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving objects, people, or animals. A stringent legal framework outlines the measures that employers must adhere to, emphasising the important nature of:
- Avoidance: Employers should always steer clear of hazardous manual handling operations to a reasonably practicable extent. This involves strategically evaluating tasks and processes to identify opportunities for redesign or mechanisation.
- Assessment: In instances where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided, a comprehensive risk assessment must be conducted to evaluate the potential for injury. This involves a nuanced consideration of various factors, including the nature of the task, characteristics of the load, the working environment, and individual capabilities.
- Reduction: The overarching goal is to reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling to as low as reasonably practicable. This stage involves implementing targeted measures based on the outcomes of the risk assessment.
It’s crucial to note that while the weight of a load is a significant consideration, specific weight limits are notably absent from the legal mandates, encouraging a situation-by-situation approach that accounts for contextual factors that might affect this.
In certain situations, it may be necessary to provide details regarding the weight and centre of gravity position for each load, especially when there is a potential risk of injury, and it is feasible to do so.
Avoiding Hazardous Manual Handling
Mitigating the risks associated with hazardous manual handling operations involves strategic interventions, namely task redesign or the automation and mechanisation of processes. The best time to make a decision regarding the mechanisation or automation of certain tasks is during the design phase of plant or work systems. Implementing this type of machinery can reduce the strain on the human body and significantly reduce the risk of harm. This might
include conveyors, chutes, pallet trucks, hoists, or lift trucks. These mechanical aids are therefore an effective strategy for risk elimination or reduction, promoting both efficiency and safety.
Assessing Unavoidable Manual Handling Risks
Conducting an in-depth assessment of the risks associated with manual handling operations involves considering various factors and their associated nuances, including the nature of the task, characteristics of the load, the working environment, and individual capabilities. Postures adopted, lifting frequencies, load weights, and the inherent nature of the load itself are integral components of this assessment. Identifying signs such as heavy breathing, complaints of fatigue, or reluctance to engage in specific tasks is imperative when assessing the potential risks of a task.
The level of assessment required may vary, with low-risk tasks benefiting from simple filters and high-risk handling operations necessitating more detailed assessments and specialised tools like the Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC), the Variable Manual Handling Assessment Chart (V-MAC), Risk Assessment of Pushing and Pulling (RAPP), and an Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART). When using these tools, it is essential to consider the kinds of demographic differences between individual workers that may affect their likelihood of injury.
Reducing the Risk of Injury
Tailoring measures to control risks based on the specific nature of the task is crucial. In instances where manual lifting is unavoidable, steps to reduce the risk’s level include:
- Modifying load size to make it lighter or easier to grip
- Breaking down larger loads into smaller ones
- Adjusting workplace layouts to reduce the need to lift
- Changing routines to avoid exhaustion and tight deadlines which cause stress and the need to rush
- Improving environmental conditions (space, flooring, lighting, etc.)
- Ensuring effective, up-to-date training is provided
- Providing mechanical assistance, such as sack trolleys or hoists
Ensuring employees are trained in safe lifting techniques and creating a culture of compliance with safety protocols is essential for sustained risk reduction. Regular monitoring and review of procedures ensures continual adherence to safety protocols, contributing towards a workplace culture that revolves around safety awareness and responsiveness.
You should always consult your team when undertaking risk assessments, as they are the best judges of the potential hazards they face during their daily handling tasks. They may also be able to suggest practical solutions that you might not have thought of otherwise.
Training
While training plays a pivotal role in risk reduction, it is not a standalone solution. Initial emphasis should be placed on designing manual handling operations to be inherently safe. It is, however, key to instil good handling habits in your staff to lower their risk of injury as much as possible before external risk prevention techniques are implemented. Training programmes should encompass various aspects, including an understanding of risk factors, the effective use of mechanical aids, safe manual handling practices, relevant work systems, and practical exercises.
At OFI, we provide a wide array of manual handling courses and risk assessment services to help you create a safe work environment and better care for your staff’s well-being. Some of the services we offer include:
Ongoing training and awareness programmes are essential as they ensure that new employees, particularly young workers, as well as those returning from holidays, sickness, or injury, receive tailored support whenever necessary. Training content should be continuously updated to align with evolving tasks and technologies, and periodic assessments can gauge the effectiveness of such training initiatives.
The Law
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations9 establish a robust framework mandating employers to actively avoid, assess, and mitigate the risk of injury arising from manual handling. Compliance with these regulations is fundamental when making efforts to create a safe and secure working environment. This legal framework serves as a guidepost for employers, steering them toward a proactive stance in risk assessment and reduction strategies, contributing towards a workplace culture that sees safety at its core. Regular updates and compliance checks ensure that organisational practices align with evolving safety standards and legislation, nurturing a dynamic, adaptable, and ongoing commitment to a safe working culture.
In Summary
Safeguarding workplace safety is a crucial responsibility that demands careful consideration and proactive measures from employers. The legal framework, encapsulated in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, underscores the importance of avoiding, assessing, and reducing the risks associated with manual handling operations.
