Health and Safety - Online Library

 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992

 

These regulations apply to the manual handling (any transporting or supporting) of loads i.e. by human effort, as opposed to mechanical handling by fork lifts, crane etc. Manual handling also includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving. The effort applied by the human can be direct or indirect that may reduce but not completely eliminate effort and therefore still fall under these regs, examples of this might be; hoist or sack truck.

Injury under these regulations means to any part of the body. It should take account of physical features of the load which might affect grip or cause direct injury, for example, sharp edges. It does not include injuries caused from corrosive substances leaked from a load on is on its surface.

Duties of Employers – Reg 4

Avoidance of Manual Handling

Employers should take steps to ensure that manual handling operations are avoided if at all possible in order to prevent the likelihood of injury.

The guidance suggests that a preliminary assessment should be carried out when making a general risk assessment under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs 1999. The employer should consider whether the operation can be eliminated, automated or mechnaised.

Assessment of Risk

Where it is nor reasonably practicable to avoid manual handling operations, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be made. This assessment should take into account the following:

• The task
• The load
• The environment
• Individual capabilities

Reducing the Risk of Injury

Where manual handling cannot be avoided and risk of injury is present, employers must ensure that all steps have been taken to minimise the level of risk as far is reasonably practicable.

The structured approach; task, load, environment and individual capability is recommended in the guidance. The steps taken will involve ergonomics, changing the load, mechanical assistance, task layout, work routines, personal protective equipment, team working and training.

Additional Information on the Load

Where manual handling cannot be avoided employers must provide at minimum a general indication and where practicable precise information on:

• The weight of each load
• The heaviest side of any load which does not have a central centre of gravity

This information is best marked on the load

Reviewing Assessment

Assessments should be reviewed if changes have been made or the original assessment is no longer valid

Duty of Employees

Each employee, while at work, has to make proper use of any system of work provided for their use. This is in addition to other responsibilities under the HSW Act and Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs.

The provisions do not include well intentioned improvisation in an emergency, for example, rescuing a casualty or fighting a fire.