MANUAL HANDLING ASSESSMENT

JRL Solutions Ltd carries out manual handling assessments.

A very high proportion of injuries and ill health resulting in  more than 3 days away from work are caused by the handling of loads. More than half of these occurences are sprains and strains and nearly half affect the back. The costs to companies run into billions of pounds. 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 as amended apply to a wide range of manual handling activities, including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling or carrying a load. A load is a discrete moveable object and can include an animal.

Employers have an obligation to avoid their employees carrying out manual handling, perhaps by automation or by the re-design of work tasks. Where avoidance is not possible employers must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risk for each manual handling operation.

Assessment must be carried out under the following headings:-

• the Task being carried out
• the Load being manually handled
• the Environment in which manual handling takes place
• the Individual/Person carrying out the manual handling 

In order to be suitable and sufficient the assessment should be caried out by a competent person and consider the following factors:-

Task

Are loads held or manipulated at a distance from the trunk?
Does the task involve twisting the trunk?
Does the task involve stooping?
Does the task involve reaching upwards?
Does the task involve excessive lifting or lowering distances?
Does the task involve excessive carrying distances?
Does the task involve excessive pushing or pulling of the load?
Does the task involve a risk of sudden movement of the load?
Does the task involve frequent or prolonged physical effort?
Does the task involve insufficient rest or recovery periods?
Does the task involve a rate imposed by a process?
Is there handling whilst seated?
Is team handling involved?

Load

Is the load heavy?
Is the load bulky or unwieldy?
Is the load difficult to grasp?
Is the load unstable, unpredictable or are contents likely to shift?
Is the load sharp, hot or otherwise potentially harmful?

Environment

Do space constraints prevent good posture?
Are there uneven, slippery or unstable floors?
Are there variations in level of floors or work surfaces?
Are there extremes of temperature or humidity?
Is ventilation satisfactory?
Are there poor lighting conditions?

Individual/Person

Does the task require unusual strength or height?
Are those with a health problem put at risk?
Are pregnant workers at risk?
Does the task require special information or training?

Training in safer handling should include the following:-

handling the load from a firm stable base
handling the load close to the waist
gripping the load securely
keeping elbows tucked in
having legs relaxed at the knees
handling the load with back in its natural curvature avoiding flexing the back, twisting the back or leaning sideways
ensuring the head is upright as this ensures the back is in its natural curvtaure
carrying out handling smoothly and not jerkily

JRL Solutions Ltd is competent to carry out manual handling assessment and provide training in safer handling techniques.