Responsibilities and arrangements expected for the health and safety management of manual handling.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended 2002) apply to a wide range of manual handling activities at work. The regulation define manual handling as…
"..the transporting or supporting of a load (include lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying of moving of a load) by hand or bodily force. "
Incorrect manual handling can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This includes
"..any injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper/lower limbs or the back."
These disorders account for more than a third of all work-related illnesses and can occur to any individual in any occupation, including offices, laboratories, libraries and maintenance. Although manual handling injuries can be caused by intense or strenuous activities or unexpected events, such as a fall, often this isn't the case - Unfortunately, most occur as a result of cumulative strain, i.e. gradual wear and tear caused by day to day tasks, with the person not feeling the pain until several hours after the injury. In rare cases, this can result in long-term debilitating sickness.
If an individual experiences adverse symptoms, such as pains in a joint or the back, these should be reported to their Supervisor/Manager to enable arrangements for treatment if necessary and possible modification to the work.
HS094 Manual Handling Code of Practice outlines the Universities approach to safely managing manual handling activities.
Links to HSE guidance
- HSE's "Managing upper limb disorders in your business"
- HSE's Risk assessment of pushing and pulling
- HSE's Making the best of lifting and handling aids
Risk Assessment
- See here for guidance and forms relating to risk assessment