MANUAL HANDLING POLICY

Manual Handling/ H&S/MHPOLICY/Rev03/20.03.2025 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Statistics show that manual handling is one of the most common causes of absence through injury  in the workplace. More than one-third of lost time accidents are caused in this way at an estimated  cost of £130 million per annum. These injuries may often have long-term effects, severely affecting  earning potential and subsequently lifestyle and leisure activities. 

This policy is intended to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries and provide guidance on the  measures that that should be taken to ensure safe lifting and carrying in the workplace. 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES 

Under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, every employer has the duty to  provide a safe place of work, a safe environment and safe systems of work, so far as is reasonably  practicable. This duty includes the need to minimize risk arising from manual handling tasks.  

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MOHR), manual handling is interpreted  as the transporting or supporting of any load. 

Regulation 4 of MHOR requires the employer to avoid the need for hazardous manual handling  activities, so far as is reason to practicable. Where it is not possible to eliminate hazardous manual  handling, an assessment must be undertaken to determine the level of risk. Suitable controls must  then be introduced to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest extent reasonably practicable. This may  be achieved by the use of automation, mechanical aids or redesigning the system of work or even  the workplace itself.  

An assessment should take into consideration the tasks, the load, the individual, the environment  and any other factors which may affect its safe lifting and carrying (for example the use of personal  protective equipment). Assessments should be reviewed when there is a significant change in: 

(d) the activity or process 

(e) the working environment 

(f) the numbers or abilities of personnel 

(g) the nature of the load(s) to be handled. 

Reassessment may also be required where accident/absence statistics show that the original  control measures were not sufficiently effective.  

Where appropriate the employer is also under a duty to provide employees with information on the  weight of the load and the center of gravity, where this is not positioned centrally. There is no  maximum weight that a person can be required to handle. Tasks should be assessed on the basis  of an ergonomic approach to manual handling operations in the workplace, i.e. fitting the task to suit  personal abilities and limitations.  

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act requires the provision of suitable training,  instruction and information. This extends to training in safe methods of lifting and carrying for those  employees who undertake manual handling activities. (MHOR) also require appropriate steps to be  taken to reduce risk, one of which will be the provision of adequate training. 

In nearly every job in the company there are a number of lifting operations carried out by staff and  operatives. The office worker may need to lift a computer (not an item that is especially heavy, but  one which has an awkward shape and prone to having electrical leads dangling around a person's  feet), or there is the lifting of the photocopier paper, access to files kept low down or on high  shelves. At the other end of the scale would be the workshop fitters handling a heavy piece of plant 

 

or surfacing operatives lifting curbstones. In between there are multitudes of manual handling  operations which could give rise to the risk of injury. A number of practical things can be done to  reduce the risks of injury from manual handling operations.  

ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF  WORKERS/EMPLOYEES  

The elimination of hazardous manual handling activities: 

The company will ensure the operations which involve manual handling are eliminated, so far as is  reasonably practicable. The measures to achieve this include an ergonomic design of the workplace  and activity and the provision of automated or mechanical aids such as trolleys, conveyors or other  lifting equipment.  

Assessment of risk: 

An assessment of manual handling activities will be carried out by competent persons. Risks which  are identified will be reduced the lowest level reasonably practicable. The following factors should  be considered during the assessment.  

The task: 

• Bending and stooping to lift a load significantly increases the risk of a back injury. • Items should ideally be lifted from no higher than knee-height to no higher than shoulder  height.  

• Outside this range, lifting capacity is reduced and the risk of injury is increased. • When items are required to be lifted from above shoulder height, a stand or suitable means of  access should be used.  

• Items which are pushed or pulled should be as near to waist level as possible. Pushing is  preferred, particularly where the back can rest against a fixed object to give leverage. • Carrying distances should be minimized, especially if the task is regularly repeated. • Repetitive tasks should be avoided whenever possible. 

• Tasks which involves lifting and carrying should be designed in such a way as to allow for  significant rest breaks (rotation of tasks) of avoiding fatigue. 

• Avoid tasks which require twisting the body where ever possible.  

The load: 

• The Load should be kept as near as possible to the body trunk to reduce strain and should be  not of such size as to obscure vision. 

• An indication of the weight of the load and the center of gravity should be provided where  appropriate. Unstable loads should be handled with particular caution. The change in the  center of gravity is likely to result in over balancing. 

• Ensure there is a secure hand hold, using gloves were necessary to protect against sharp  edges or splinters.  

The individual: 

• The consideration must be given to age, body weight and physical fitness. • Regard must be given to personal limitation, employees must not attempt to handle those  which are beyond their individual capability. Assistance must be sought where this is  necessary. 

• Persons with genuine physical or clinical reasons for avoiding lifting should be made  allowance for, as should pregnant women, who should not be required to undertake  hazardous lifting or carrying tasks.

 

• Significant knowledge and understanding of the work is an important factor in reducing the risk  of injury. 

• Individuals undertaking lifting of carrying will be given suitable instruction, training and  information to undertake the task with minimum risk.  

The working environment: 

• There must be adequate space to enable the activity to be conducted in safety and the  transportation route must be free from obstruction. 

• Lighting, heating and weather conditions must be considered. 

• Floors another working services must be in a safe condition, and adequate ventilation is  required, particularly where there is no natural ventilation  

Other factors 

• The use of personal protective equipment may be necessary whilst carrying out manual  handling activities. If the use of personal protective equipment restricts safe and easy  movement, this should be reported. 

• Constant interruptions from other employees must be avoided, as this can reduce the  concentration of an individual.  

Duties of managers and supervisors 

Managers or supervisors must ensure and that: 

• manual handling assessments are carried out were relevant and records are kept • employees are properly supervised 

• adequate information and training is provided to persons carrying out manual handling  activities 

• any injuries or incidents relating to manual handling are investigated, with remedial action  taken 

• employees adhere to safe systems of work 

• safety arrangements for manual handling operations are regularly monitored and reviewed  • employees undertaking manual handling activities are suitably screen for reasons of health  and safety, before undertaking the work 

• special arrangements are made, when necessary, for individuals with health conditions who  could be adversely affected by manual handling operations  

Duties of Employees  

Employees must ensure that:  

• They report to management (in confidence) any personal conditions which may be  detrimentally affected by the manual handling activity 

• They comply with instruction and training which has provided in safe manual handling  activities 

• Their own health and safety is not put at risk when carrying out manual handling activities • They use equipment which has been provided to minimize the risk from manual handling  activities 

• Any problems relating to the activities are reported to a responsible person  

Information and Training  

Suitable information and training will be provided to persons who are required to carry out manual  handling activities. 

Manual Handling Poster included in all H&S job packs ( Appendix A )  

Training needs will be identified and reviewed by the responsible person.

 

Refresher training will also be given at reasonable intervals. 

Employees will be informed of the approximate weight of loads which are handled and objects  which have eccentric weight distribution.  

Safe System of Work  

Poor lifting and carrying techniques can result in discomfort and increase the risk of injury. In  extreme circumstances, these injuries can have permanent effects. These risks can be reduced by  adopting the following simple precautions: 

Ensure that formalized systems of work have been designed for the work activity are complied with: 

• Make full and proper use of aids to lifting and carrying, such as trolleys, and lifting equipment • Store heavy items between the shoulder and hip height. Where possible only store small,  light items above shoulder or below knee height. 

• Use the legs and knees to bend and lift - do not stoop or bend the back. 

• Avoid tasks which require stretching or twisting. 

• Ensure that regular rest breaks are taken where manual handling activities are repetitive to  prevent the onset of fatigue. 

• Ensure that there are no sharp, hot or cold edges which could cause injury. • Ensure that walkways are free from obstructions. 

• Make full and proper use of personal protective equipment. 

• Report any problems or concerns associated with manual handling operations to a  responsible person without delay. 

Signed: IONUT P. POTOR – Managing Director  

Date: 23.04.2025