Manual Handling

Manual Handling

Manual handling (lifting, carrying and handling of loads) is one of the most common causes of injury at work resulting, typically, in muscular strains or physical injury. The Health and Safety (Manual Handling Operations) Regulations 1992 require every manual handling task to be managed in a way that minimises the risk to those involved.  The management process required is, in essence, a risk assessment. The starting point is to consider whether the manual handling task is necessary or if the work might be organised differently, or perhaps mechanised.  Major alteration and remedial actions may not be immediately possible, but may be identified as a future goal.

Hierarchy of control measures

The MHO Regulations set a hierarchy of measures under which the employer must:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
• Assess the risk of any hazardous manual handling operation, which cannot be avoided
• Reduce the risk of injury, so far as is reasonably practicable

Further information

• Manual Handling Factsheet
• Manual Handling Checklist
• Manual Handling Flow Chart and Further Guidance
• List and Listing Operations

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