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Manual Handling

INTRODUCTION

More than one third of all reportable 'Over Three Day' injuries and nearly 10% of 'Major Injuries' are associated with manual handling. Many injuries are cumulative, resulting from repeated exposure to manual handling operations. Sprains and strains arise from the incorrect application and/or prolongation of bodily force. Poor posture and excessive repetition of movement can be important factors in onset of injuries.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The Manual Handling Operations (MHO) Regulations 1992 (revised 1998) apply to manual handling operations, defined as "any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force". Employers are subject to a clear hierarchy of measures to meet duties under the regulations:-

1. To avoid hazardous MHO so far as is reasonably practicable
2. To assess any hazardous MHO that cannot be avoided
3. To reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

Thus,

1. AVOIDING HAZARDOUS
MHO Can the movement etc. of loads be eliminated altogether? Can the operations be automated or mechanised?

2. ASSESSING HAZARDOUS
MHO where a possibility of injury from MHO is indicated, a more specific assessment should be carried out. This is distinct from the everyday judgements which supervisors and others will have to make dealing with MHO. It needs to be broad in approach, identify measures to deal with problems likely to arise and include training provisions. Industry specific data and assessments might prove useful sources of information. The assessment should be recorded and kept readily accessible as long as it remains relevant. It should be noted that assessment is not an end in itself, merely a structured way of analysing risks and pointing the way to practical solutions.

The booklet L23 - Guidance on Regulations (MHO Regulations 1992) contains a list of factors that be taken into account when assessing MHO (Schedule 1) and an example of an assessment checklist (Appendix 2). In broad terms, the five factors involved are:-

1. The task
2. The load
3. The working environment
4. Individual capability
5. Other factors

An aide- memoire checklist is given in booklet L23 as Appendix 2.
Typical issues that may be relevant (and for which more advice is provided in booklet L23) include:-

The Task
-Is the load held or manipulated at a distance from the trunk?
-Does the task involve:

- twisting the trunk?
- stooping?
- reaching upwards?
- combining risk factors?
- excessive lifting or lowering distances?
- excessive carrying distances?
- excessive pushing or pulling of the load?
- positioning the load precisely?
- a risk of sudden movement of the load?
- frequent or prolonged physical effort?
- insufficient rest or recovery periods?
- involve a rate of work imposed by a process?

· The importance of posture
· Handling while seated
· Team Handling

The Load
· Is the load:

- heavy?
- bulky or unwieldly?
- difficult to grasp?
- unstable, or are its contents likely to shift?
- sharp, hot or otherwise potentially damaging?

Working Environment
· Are there:

- space constraints preventing good practice
- uneven, slippery or unstable floors?
- variations in levels of floors or work surfaces?
- extremes of temperature or humidity?
- ventilation problems or gusts of winds?
- poor lighting conditions?

Individual Capability

· Does the task require unusual strength, height etc?
· Does the job put at risk those who might be pregnant or have a disability or a health problem?
· Does the task require special information or training in its safe performance
· Personal protective equipment and other chatting

3. REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY

The guidance in L23 follows the same structured approach as is taken with assessment detailed in the previous section. It is recommended that an ergonomic approach is adopted, fitting the operations to the individual rather than the other way around.
Particular consideration should be given to the provision of mechanical assistance where this is reasonably practicable (e.g. sack truck, hand-powered hydraulic hoist). The workforce should be involved in the process and, again, industry-specific guidance could be a useful source of information. Considerable guidance is contained in booklet L23 (pp20-35) on suggested means to reduce the risk of injury, covering issues such as those listed in (2) above.

Other requirements include:-

4.PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE LOAD
Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid employees undertaking MHO at work which involve a risk of their being injured, the employer must also provide general indications and where it is reasonably practicable to do so, precise information on:-
(i) the weight of each load
(ii) the heaviest side of any load whose centre of gravity is not positioned centrally

5. REVIEWING ASSESSMENTS - if there is new information, a change in the MHO or if a reportable injury occurs.

6. EMPLOYEES DUTIES - to follow appropriate systems of work laid down by the employer.

MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT DETAILED ASSESSMENT

ADVICE ON SAFE MANUAL HANDLING

* There are basic principles that should be followed even prior to lifting the load. The person should ensure that the object is light enough for a one-person lift, check that there are no sharp or abrasive edges, and that the load is equally distributed and stable. If an object is heavy or awkward, a mechanical aid should be employed to assist with the lift. It is important that a clear route is established for the lift, with any obstructions removed, and areas designated for rest breaks and for unloading the object. Proper clothing should be worn for manual handling, such as strong, flat shoes, or anti-slip safety shoes, where necessary; gloves to allow a firmer grip; and durable clothing. Before attempting to lift the object, the worker should establish an effective grip.

* If lifting from inaccessible places, a person should brace the knees against something firm, bend from the hips and push the buttocks out behind, maintaining a straight line for the head and back, and lifting with the leg, buttock and stomach muscles.
* When carrying a load, it is necessary to hold it close, keeping the elbows turned in, avoiding changing grips without first supporting the load, ensuring the route can be clearly seen, using the feet to change direction (do not twist the body), and turning the feet, shoulders and hips to face the unloading spot. When unloading, the object should be held close, and lowered by bending the knees with the back straight. Fingers and toes should be kept away from the bottom of the load, and the object should be placed onto the edge of the surface and slid into place securely, ensuring that it will not fall, tip over, etc.

CHECKLIST - MANUAL HANDLING

1.	Are manual handling operations carried out at your premises?	YES /NO
2.	If so, is there a risk of injury from such MHO?	YES /NO
3.	Is it reasonably practicable to avoid moving the loads?	YES /NO
4.	Is it reasonably practicable to automate or mechanise the operations?	YES /NO
5.	If some risk of manual handling injury remains, have you carried out a manual handling assessment?	YES /NO
6.	Have you determined what measures are needed to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable?	YES /NO
7.	Have all such measures been implemented?	YES /NO
8.	Have you carried out suitable and sufficient instruction and training of appropriate employees, including supervisors?	YES /NO
9.	Do you have a system to review MHO assessment as necessary?	YES /NO

REFERENCES/FURTHER DETAILS

1. Booklet L23 - Guidance on Regulations - Manual Handling
Operations Regulations 1992
2.Leaflet IND (G) 143L - Getting to grips with manual handling
- a short guide for employers (HSE)
3. HS (G) 115 - Manual handling - solutions you can handle (HSE)
4. Book IAC (L) 9D - Manual handling in drinks delivery (HSE)
5.Leaflet IND (G)109L - Lighten the load - Guidance for employers on musculoskeletal disorders (HSE)
6.Leaflet IND (G)110L - Lighten the load - Guidance for employees on musculoskeletal disorders (HSE)
7. HSE Books:

8. HSE free publications

9. ROSPA

10. HSE website:

11. Muscoskeletal disorders home page

For further information please call (023) 9254 5505, 5506 or 5507 during office hours or call at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1EB.

Alternatively e-mail ehs@gosport.gov.uk any time