ARE YOU PROTECTING YOUR WORKERS FROM MANUAL HANDLING INJURIES?

Manual handling is defined as transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force and can include lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving loads. Loads can be objects, people or animals.

By law, employers must protect workers from the risks involved in manual handling activities. The law sets out the following:

· avoid hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable

· assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided

· reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling to as low as reasonably practicable

Manual handling can be avoided by redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or automating the process where possible. For example, a conveyor system could be introduced.

Where manual handling cannot be avoided, an assessment of risk should be carried out. Consideration should be given to the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability.

Implementation of measures to reduce the risk of injury will vary depending on the task. Mechanical help may look like providing a sack trolley or hoist to assist with movement. Where this is not reasonably practicable, changes to the task, load or working environment may be required. This may include making the load smaller, modifying the workplace to reduce carrying distance and changing work routine to avoid excessive work rates.

HOW CAN LOGIC HELP?

Logic’s team of consultants have an abundance of knowledge on the subject and have helped many businesses work towards safe and legally compliant working practices. Logic can help assist in carrying out manual handling assessments and provide guidance and advice where failings have been identified. In addition to this, Logic can provide training to help raise awareness and reduce risk.

For more technical information, contact technical@logicshesolutions.co.uk.

For more training information, contact training@logicshesolutions.co.uk.