Manual handling is any workplace activity that involves moving or supporting a load by hand or bodily force.
That could include lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling, moving or holding an object.
Manual handling is part of everyday work in many industries. Employees may regularly move boxes, equipment, tools, materials or other items as part of their role.
However, manual handling can also create significant risks if tasks are not planned and carried out safely.
This is why businesses need to consider the manual handling activities their employees carry out and put suitable measures in place to reduce the risk of injury.
At 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, we provide manual handling training for businesses and organisations across the Midlands and throughout the UK.
What activities count as manual handling?
Manual handling covers much more than simply lifting a heavy object.
Examples can include:
- Lifting and lowering boxes
- Carrying equipment
- Moving stock
- Pushing or pulling trolleys
- Loading and unloading vehicles
- Moving furniture
- Handling tools and materials
- Repositioning equipment
- Moving items between different areas of a workplace
The load doesn’t necessarily have to be heavy for a manual handling task to create a risk.
An awkward shape, difficult grip, repetitive movement or poor working position can all make a task more challenging.
For example, repeatedly lifting lightweight boxes from floor level may create a different risk from occasionally moving a heavier object.
The circumstances surrounding the task matter.
Why is it a workplace risk?
Manual handling can contribute to a range of injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries affecting the back, shoulders, arms and other parts of the body.
The risk can increase when a task involves:
- Heavy or bulky loads
- Awkward loads
- Repetitive movements
- Bending or twisting
- Reaching
- Working in restricted spaces
- Carrying loads over long distances
- Poor posture
- Uneven floors
- Difficult working conditions
- Insufficient space to move safely
A task that seems straightforward can become more hazardous when several of these factors are present at the same time.
That’s why manual handling should be considered as part of your wider workplace health and safety arrangements.
What are the main types of risk?
Manual handling risks are often linked to four key areas: the task, the individual, the load and the working environment.
The task
Consider how the work needs to be carried out.
Does it involve lifting from the floor? Is there a lot of bending or twisting? Does the employee have to carry the load a long distance?
Repetitive tasks can also increase the risk of injury over time.
The individual
Employees may have different levels of experience, physical capability and familiarity with the task.
A new employee may need additional instruction and supervision, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the equipment or handling methods involved.
The load
The characteristics of the load can make a significant difference.
Consider:
- Weight
- Size
- Shape
- Stability
- Grip
- Whether the contents can move
- Whether the load blocks the employee’s view
An awkwardly shaped load can be difficult to handle safely even when it isn’t particularly heavy.
The working environment
The surrounding environment can also affect how safely a load can be moved.
For example, consider:
- Floor conditions
- Lighting
- Available space
- Stairs
- Slopes
- Temperature
- Obstacles
- Storage arrangements
Looking at all of these factors helps businesses understand where manual handling risks may exist.
What does the law say about manual handling?
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to take appropriate steps to manage hazardous manual handling activities.
The first priority is to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable.
Where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided, employers should assess the task and take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury.
This means businesses shouldn’t rely on employee training alone.
The way a task is designed, the equipment available, the working environment and the handling methods used can all play an important role in reducing risk.
Training should support these measures rather than being treated as the only solution.
Why is manual handling training important?
Appropriate training can help employees understand the risks associated with their work and how to handle loads more safely.
Training can cover areas such as:
- Identifying manual handling hazards
- Understanding the risks of poor handling techniques
- Safe lifting and carrying principles
- Assessing a load before moving it
- Avoiding unnecessary twisting and reaching
- Using appropriate handling equipment
- Understanding workplace procedures
- Recognising when a task may be unsafe
Practical training can also give employees the opportunity to apply safe handling techniques to realistic workplace situations.
The exact training your business needs should reflect the tasks employees actually carry out.
Does manual handling training prevent injuries?
Training is an important part of managing manual handling risk, but it should not be viewed as the only control measure.
For example, if employees are regularly required to move heavy loads manually, simply telling them to use a better lifting technique may not address the underlying problem.
Businesses should consider whether the task can be avoided, redesigned or supported by suitable mechanical equipment.
Depending on the workplace, this could include:
- Trolleys
- Pallet trucks
- Hoists
- Lifting equipment
- Conveyors
- Adjustable workstations
- Improved storage arrangements
The aim should be to reduce the need for hazardous manual handling wherever reasonably practicable.
Training then helps employees understand how to carry out the remaining tasks safely.
Who needs manual handling training?
The employees who need manual handling training will depend on the work they carry out and the risks identified within the workplace.
It may be particularly relevant for employees who regularly:
- Lift or carry materials
- Load or unload deliveries
- Move stock
- Work in warehouses
- Handle equipment
- Work in construction
- Work in manufacturing
- Move furniture or other heavy items
- Carry out repetitive handling tasks
Businesses should consider the activities employees actually perform rather than assuming everyone needs exactly the same training.
New employees should also receive appropriate information, instruction and training where their role involves manual handling risks.
When should manual handling training be reviewed?
Manual handling training shouldn’t be treated as something that is completed once and then forgotten.
Businesses should review their arrangements when there are changes to the work or when there are concerns about existing practices.
This could include:
- Introducing new equipment
- Changing working processes
- Moving to new premises
- Introducing new materials
- Employees taking on different responsibilities
- Changes to the workplace layout
- Accidents or near misses
- Identifying new manual handling risks
- Employees demonstrating unsafe handling practices
Refresher training may also be appropriate where there are concerns about competence or where employees need to reinforce existing knowledge and skills.
How can businesses reduce manual handling risks?
There are several practical steps businesses can take to improve manual handling safety.
1. Identify the risks
Look at the tasks employees carry out and identify where manual handling could cause injury.
2. Avoid unnecessary manual handling
Consider whether the task can be removed or carried out in another way.
3. Use mechanical assistance
Where appropriate, equipment can reduce the amount of physical effort required.
4. Improve the workplace
Storage arrangements, floor conditions, lighting and available space can all affect how safely a task can be completed.
5. Provide appropriate training
Employees should understand the risks associated with their work and how to follow safe handling procedures.
6. Review your arrangements
Workplaces change. Regularly reviewing manual handling activities helps businesses identify new risks and make improvements where necessary.
What should you do if you’re concerned about manual handling in your workplace?
If employees regularly carry out manual handling tasks, it’s worth reviewing how those tasks are currently performed.
Look at the loads being moved, how often they’re moved, the equipment available and the environment in which the work takes place.
You should also consider whether employees have the appropriate information, instruction and training to carry out their work safely.
A suitable risk assessment can help identify where improvements are needed.
Improve Manual Handling Safety in Your Workplace
Manual handling is a common part of many jobs, but that doesn’t mean the associated risks should be accepted as part of the work.
Businesses should look at how manual handling tasks are designed, whether risks can be reduced and whether employees have the appropriate training and support to work safely.
At 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, we provide practical manual handling training for businesses and organisations.
Our training can help your team understand manual handling risks and develop safer working practices that are relevant to their roles.
Contact our team to discuss your manual handling training requirements and find the right training solution for your business.
