Manual handling is defined as transporting or supporting a load by hand or using physical force. It includes but is not limited to the following techniques:
- Lifting
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Lowering
- Filling
- Carrying
- Emptying
As the employer, it is paramount that you protect your workers from the risk of injury from potentially hazardous manual handling tasks. While you cannot prevent all musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), you can encourage your staff to report any signs or symptoms at the earliest stage possible.
In this article from Shoes For Crews, we explain what the manual handling regulations are as well as give you five control measures to help promote injury prevention at your facility.
What are the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?
Enacted in 1992 and then later modified in 2002, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations state that you as the employer must manage and minimise risks to your employees. This law features guidance on how to avoid, assess and reduce the potential risk of injury. They include, performing a manual handling risk assessment, controlling the risks and implementing a good lifting technique.
You should aim to eliminate any potential hazardous manual handling activities as much as possible by redesigning tasks to avoid the need to move the load, or by automating or mechanising the process. For these measures to be most effective, it is very important to consult and involve your employees. They should:
- Strive to adhere to all health and safety measures outlined in the employee handbook
- Use all equipment properly to maintain their health and safety
- Cooperate on all matters related to manual handling safety
- Report any hazardous conditions they identify
- Ensure their actions do not pose a risk for others
Manual handling safety measures
Read on to review the five key manual handling safety measures in the following sections. We will also show you how our range of slip-resistant footwear from Shoes For Crews can reinforce these controls and further protect your team.
1. Avoid the lifting or handling activity
It is not always possible, but when it comes to manual handling safety, elimination is the most effective control measure. Consider whether the labour could be performed in a different way or whether it needs to be moved. Identify and assess the risks for your specific facility before carrying out the activity or even transferring the risk over to the supply company.
2. Reduce the load by using lighter weights or more stable containers
Once you have determined that the task cannot be avoided, consider whether you can approach it by reducing the object’s weight. If possible, purchase items in smaller quantities or see if you can separate the load into reduced weights.
3. Reorganise the activity or environment
As we mentioned above, another simple and effective solution to promote manual handling safety is to reorganise the warehouse or facility’s layout. This can either be done in the design phase or later to improve the facilities. This will help reposition heavier items for easier access and improve reach, thus reducing the risk of overstretching.
