When working it is important to know how and what you are lifting. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 attempt to bring in set standards for how manual handling should be carried out at work. However, it does not set a level of weight which should not be lifted.
What the Regulations seek to achieve
It is not the weight of something which should solely be taken into consideration as it can be inaccurate when determining what can be lifted. There is instead a series of measures which should be taken by employers which are as follows:
- Where it is reasonably practicable, avoid manual handling operations which are hazardous. Although this seems quite a broad measure, it could include using a machine to move something to ensure that it is not being handled by you.
- Make an assessment of the manual handling of what can be avoided. The Regulations specify that the assessment should be suitable and adequate.
- If you have to manual handle something, ensure that you reduce the risk of an injury to an absolute minimum. Again, using mechanised equipment could reduce the risk of injury but also using aides such as wheelbarrows could mean that you are not lifting heavy items for longer than necessary and means that everything can be carried at once without taking multiple trips.
Schedule 1 of the Regulations outline five general factors which should be taken into consideration when manual handling. These are: the tasks, the load, the environment, individual capability and other factors. Each have their own set of further questions which should be asked.
- The tasks – Do they involve holding loads at a distance, unsatisfactory postures, excessive movement of loads, risk of sudden movement and frequent and prolonged physical movement?
- The load – Is it heavy, unwieldy, difficult to grasp, unstable or sharp?
- The environment – Is it slippery, uneven surface, differences in temperature or poor lighting conditions?
- Individual capability – Does the job require differences in strengths, require specialist information or create a hazard?
- Other factors – Is the lifting or moving being obstructed by personal protective clothing?
Each of these five factors should be considered not only individually, but together to see if any manual handling would be necessary and is likely to result in an injury.
If you are used to manual handling in your job and you have been injured because your employer has not been following the information above, call The Injury Lawyers today!
References: www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/manualhandling
