Manual Handling Safety: Regulations and Control Measures for Injury Prevention

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.

4. Use mechanical lifting aids or equipment

Next, ask yourself if you can use mechanical tools or equipment to reduce any risks you identified in your risk assessment. Some effective options include:

• Powered pallet trucks or forklifts
• Hoists and scissor lifts
• Non-powered trucks
• Tracks and conveyors

5. Provide your team with durable, protective footwear

Facility workers are at a greater risk of becoming injured by falling objects. Adequate foot protection can not only preserve your employees’ physical well-being, but it can also provide them with sufficient stability before they lift a heavy load or object. Give your team the highest level of protection and superb slip-resistant technology they can trust from Shoes For Crews.

Manual handling safety: the 5 P’s

To summarise, these control measures can also be condensed in the following 5 principles (known as the 5 P’s of Manual Handling):

• Plan (plan for adequate space)
• Position (centre the body and feet correctly and safely)
• Pick (lift item by the legs rather than by the back)
• Proceed (move toward desired location)
• Place (set object down safely)

At Shoes For Crews, the health and safety of your employees are our top priorities. We are dedicated to assisting you in reducing the overall risk of manual handling injuries at your facility. Remember, if the load cannot be avoided, it is important to provide detailed instructions on how to lift or move it safely. We know that your team prioritises comfort and support to get through even their toughest shifts. If you would like to learn more about a specific safety shoe style, we encourage you to get in touch with one of our experts. For more detailed information on our slip-resistant outsoles and safety features, download a copy of our newly updated Catalogue.