Manual handling assessments in the UK are a critical component of workplace health and safety, particularly in environments where employees are required to move or support loads by hand or bodily force.
These assessments are governed by the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), which were introduced to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling activities. The regulations apply to a wide range of activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying loads.
The purpose of manual handling assessments is to identify tasks that pose a risk of injury and to implement measures to minimise these risks.
So what are some of the key components of Manual Handling Assessments?
Avoidance of Manual Handling: The first principle of the MHOR is to avoid manual handling activities that pose a risk of injury, wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. If the activity cannot be avoided, it must be assessed and mitigated.
Assessment of Risk: Employers are required to assess the risk of injury from any manual handling tasks that cannot be avoided. This involves considering the task, the load, the working environment, and the individual capabilities of the employees involved.
Reduction of Risk: Once risks have been identified, employers must take steps to reduce them to the lowest level reasonably practicable. This may involve changing the way tasks are carried out, using mechanical aids, or altering the layout of the workplace.
Employee Duties: Employees also have responsibilities under the MHOR. They are required to use the systems of work provided by their employer, follow safe working practices, and report any manual handling risks they identify.
Training and Information: Employers must provide adequate training and information to employees on safe manual handling techniques and the risks associated with their specific tasks.
Assessment Tools and Guidance
Several tools and guidance documents have been developed to assist employers in conducting manual handling assessments, including:
Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC tool): A tool designed to help identify high-risk manual handling tasks by assessing factors such as load weight, handling posture, and frequency of the task.
Risk Assessment of Pushing and Pulling (RAPP tool): A tool to help assess the risks associated with pushing and pulling activities.
Guidance on Regulations (L23): Detailed guidance on how to comply with the MHOR, including how to carry out risk assessments and implement control measures.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The MHOR are part of a broader legal framework aimed at protecting workers’ health and safety, which includes the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Failure to comply with the MHOR can result in legal action and significant fines.
Manual handling assessments are a fundamental aspect of workplace safety in the UK, aimed at identifying, assessing, and reducing the risks associated with manual handling tasks. Employers are required to take proactive steps to protect their employees from the risk of injury, with a strong emphasis on avoidance, risk assessment, and risk reduction.
If you would like to talk to us about manual handling assessments and how Acton Safety can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.