Our backs are very susceptible to injuries caused by lifting and poor manual handling technique. That’s why there are specific regulations that address the issue of manual handling in the workplace. These are covered in The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
The actual legislation for this is simple and to the point. The important part reads as follows:
4.(1) Each employer shall–
(a) so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured; or
(b) where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured–
(i) make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such manual handling operations to be undertaken by them…
(ii) take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to those employees arising out of their undertaking any such manual handling operations to the lowest level reasonably practicable…
Legislation : www.legislation.gov.uk
This is the part that places the duty on your employer. As such, manual handling must either be avoided or carried out in a manner which is not going to result in an employee being injured.
Common Manual Handling Injuries
Common claims for personal injury compensation we take on involve any, or a combination, of the following:
- No training – resulting in poor lifting technique causing an injury.
- No assistance for long jobs – meaning one or a few employees undertake too much manual handling and injure themselves.
- No assistance for heavy items – of course resulting in injury. A person should only be allowed to carry what they reasonably can, and knowing this is down to assessments. There are of course limits.
- Inability to safely conduct the task – perhaps due to obstructions or hurdles like hills or rough terrain making the lift more difficult or too dangerous to do.
- Repetitive strain injuries – from constant lifting over time without proper breaks.
If any of the following has happened to you, we may be able to assist you with making a claim for work injury compensation. If your employer has breached health and safety law and this has caused an injury to you, they are liable.
Employers should have insurance to cover them for claims – and we can offer you a 100% compensation agreement for work injuries. So get in touch for advice now.
