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Warumc will conduct an independent qualified unbiased assessment on those manual handling operations that pose a risk of injury to employees. It will consider the task, the individual, the load, the working environment and other issues and identify where further steps can be taken to reduce the risk to the lowest level as far as reasonably practicable. The assessment will assist the client in meeting the requirements of the Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992.
What is manual handling? The Manual handling regulations 1992 define manual handling as any "any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force". In effect, any activity that requires an individual to lift, move or support a load will be classified as a manual handling task.
Why is manual handling risk assessment important? More than a third of all reportable injuries of over three days involve manual handling and around 10% of major injuries are linked to manual handling. It has a major impact on all workplaces and costs the economy hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
In the UK 1.1 million people reported that they suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused or made worse by work. It is estimated 12.3 million working days are lost annually due to work-related MSDs.
Who is affected/most at risk from manual handling? Anyone involved in the moving and handling of goods and people could be at risk. Injuries and suffering can be linked to any work involving handling of loads, even light loads of handled incorrectly. Risks can be found in all work sectors but healthcare, agriculture and construction are recognised as high risk industries due to the number and nature of the manual handling activities.
What does the law say? The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 state that employers should adopt a hierarchy of control measures:
