Injury in the context of these regulations relates to any part of the body and should take account of any properties of a load affecting grip or liable to cause injury eg slipperiness, roughness, sharp edges or extremes of temperature. It does not include injury caused by any toxic or corrosive substance which has leaked or split from a load, is present on its surface or is a constituent part.
The regulations do not apply to any sea-going ship.
Duties of employers(r4)
Employers should avoid the need for employees to undertake MH which involves a risk of their being injured.
NB The guidance suggests a preliminary assessment, followed byevaluation of whether the task can be eliminated, automated or mechanised.
Where employers cannot avoid the need for manual handling (MH) which involve a risk of injury, they shall -
- make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such MH in accordance with schedule 1 (see below).
NB The duty to assess is substantially aligned with that of RA under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. It considers in turn the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability.
- take steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
NB The guidance on this topic likewise addresses in turn the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability, stressing that training alone will not ensure safe handlings.
The guidance suggests that the following should be considered when devising a training programme:
- recognition of potentially hazardous MH operations
- dealing with unfamiliar MH operations
- proper use of MH aids and PPE
- the interaction of MH and PPE
- features of the work environment that contribute to H&S (eg good lighting)
- importance of good housekeeping
- factors affecting individual capability
- good handling technique (eg planning a lift, placing feet, good posture, firm grip, smooth movement, moving feet, keeping the load close to the body, placing the load etc)
- take steps to provide employees with general indications, and, where practicable, precise information on:
- the weight of each load
- the heaviest side of any eccentric load
NB The guidance recommends that loads be marked with their weight, or employees provided with general information on the range of loads.
The guidance also points out that manufacturers and packers could have a duty under HSW Act s.6 to mark the weight on packages, and to provide an indication of any eccentric loading.
Assessments shall be revised if no longer valid or if there has been significant change in the MH operations. The employer shall implement the necessary changes.
When determining whether MH involves a risk of injury and deciding on appropriate steps to reduce the risk, employers shall have regard in particular to:
- the physical suitability of the employee
- the clothing, footwear or other personal effects he is wearing
- his knowledge and training
- the results of any risk assessment carried out (see r3 The Management Of Health And Safety At Work Regulations 1999MHSW (Summary Sheet A10))
- whether the employee is within a group of employees identified by that assessment as being especially at risk
- the results of any health surveillance (see r6 MHSW)
Duties of employees(r5)
Employees shall make full use of any system of work provided.
Self-employed
Duties on an employer in respect of employees shall also be imposed on the self-employed in respect of themselves (r2).
Related information:
see HSE’s ‘L’ and ‘HS(G)’ series including the following selection of key HSE references, all available from HSE Books.
The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 / 2174)
L23 Manual handling. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Guidance on regulations. (ISBN 0 7176 2415 3) 1998
HS(G)60 Upper limb disorders in the workplace (ISBN 0 7176 1978 8) 2002
HS(G)115 Manual handling - solutions you can handle (ISBN 0 7176 06937) 1994
HS(G)121 A pain in your workplace: ergonomic problems and solutions (ISBN 0 7176 0668 6) 1994
SCHEDULE 1Regulation 4(1) (b) (i)
Factors to which employers must have regard and questions they must consider when making an assessment of manual handling operations
Factors |
Questions |
| 1. the tasks |
Do they involve:
- holding or moving loads at distance from trunk?
- unsatisfactory bodily movement or posture, especially: twisting the trunk, stooping, reaching upwards?
- excessive movement of loads, especially: excessive lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling distances?
- risk of sudden movement of loads?
- frequent or prolonged physical effort?
- insufficient rest or recovery periods?
- a rate of work imposed by a process? |
| 2. the loads |
Are they:
- heavy?
- bulky or unwieldy?
- difficult to grasp?
- unstable, or with contents likely to shift?
- sharp, hot or otherwise potentially damaging? |
| 3. the working environment |
Are there:
- space constraints preventing good posture?
- uneven, slippery or unstable floors?
- variations in level of floors or work surfaces?
- extremes of temperature, humidity or air movement?
- poor lighting conditions? |
| 4. individual capability |
Does the job:
- require unusual strength, height, etc?
- create a hazard to those who are pregnant or have a health problem?
- require special knowledge or training for its safe performance? |
| 5. other factors |
Is movement or posture hindered by
- PPE
- clothing |