Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations .
Health and SafetyExecutiveManual HandlingManual Handling Operations Regulations 1992(as amended)Guidance on RegulationsThis is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of L23, (third edition,published 2004). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’scurrent printed version.You can buy the book at www.hsebooks.co.uk and most good bookshops.ISBN 978 0 7176 2823 0Price 8.95The third edition of this legal publication provides comprehensive guidance onmanual handling. It has been produced to help employers, managers, safetyrepresentatives and employees across all industries reduce the risk of injuryfrom manual handling. The publication describes what to do to comply with theManual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, as amended by the Health andSafety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002.The new edition has been produced in response to the 2002 amendments. Theguidance has also been revised to bring it up to date with improvements in theknowledge of the risks from manual handling and how to avoid them.HSE BooksPage 1 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutive Crown copyright 2004First published 1992Second edition 1998Third edition 2004ISBN 978 0 7176 2823 0All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior writtenpermission of the copyright owner.Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to:The Office of Public Sector Information, Information Policy Team,Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU or e-mail: licensing@opsi.gov.ukThis guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidanceis not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow theguidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health andsafety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to thisguidance as illustrating good practice.Page 2 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveContentsManual handlingIntroductionScale of the problem 5Legal context 8Regulation 1Citation and commencement 10Regulation 2Interpretation 10Definitions of certain terms 10Duties of the self-employed 11Regulation 3Disapplication of Regulations 11Sea-going ships 11Regulation 4Duties of employers 11Introduction 11Extent of the employer’s duties 12Continuing nature of the duty 12Work away from the employer’s premises 13Those self-employed for tax/National Insurance purposes 13Avoiding manual handling 14Elimination of handling 14Automation or mechanisation 14Assessment of risk, risk reduction and information on the load 15General advice on manual handling risk assessment 15Use of generic manual handling assessments 15Employees’ contribution 17Need for an assessment 17How detailed should this assessment be? 17Who should carry out the assessment? 17Records of accidents and ill health 18Industry-specific data and assessments 19Recording the assessment 19Making a more detailed assessment 19Assessment checklist 20General principles for reducing manual handling risks 20Striking a balance 20An ergonomic approach 21Mechanical assistance 21Involving the workforce 25Industry-specific guidance 25‘Appropriate’ steps 25Checklist 25Practical advice on assessing and reducing risks inmanual handling 25The task 26The load 33The working environment 37Information on the load 39Reviewing the assessment 40Individual capability 40Regulation 5Duty of employees 48Emergency action 49Regulation 6Exemption certificates 49Page 3 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveRegulation 7Extension outside Great Britain 49Regulation 8Repeals and revocations 50Schedule 1Factors to which the employer must have regard andquestions he must consider when making an assessmentof manual handling operations 51Appendix 1Principles of a successful risk control/managementsystem for controlling the risks from manualhandling 53Appendix 2Assessment of manual handling risks - overview 55Factors to consider 55Appendix 3Risk assessment filter 57Using the filter 57Lifting and lowering 58Frequent lifting and lowering 59Twisting 59Guidelines for carrying 60Guidelines for pushing and pulling 60Guidelines for handling while seated 61Recording findings and reaching a decision 61Limitations of the filter 62Appendix 4Examples of assessment checklists for lifting andcarrying and pushing and pulling 63Appendix 5Manual handling assessment chart (MAC) 85References 87Further reading 88Useful contacts 90Manual handlingPage 4 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveIntroduction1 This booklet aims to help employers, managers, safety officers, safetyrepresentatives, employees and others reduce the risk of injury from manualhandling. It gives general guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations1992, as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments)Regulations 20021 (‘the Regulations’).2 The Regulations originally came into force on 1 January 1993 and are madeunder the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 19742 (the HSW Act). They implementEuropean Directive 90/269/EEC3 on the manual handling of loads; supplementthe general duties placed on employers and others by the HSW Act and the broadrequirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999(the Management Regulations);4 and replace a number of earlier, outdated legalprovisions.3 There was only a small change to the Regulations in the 2002 amendment tobetter integrate a number of factors, from European Directive 90/269/EEC on themanual handling of loads, into the Regulations. These factors (in Annex II of theDirective) are that a worker may be if at risk if he/she:(a) is physically unsuited to carry out the task in question;(b) is wearing unsuitable clothing, footwear or other personal effects;(c) does not have adequate or appropriate knowledge or training.4 These factors were in Schedule 1 of the 1992 Regulations (reproduced in thisbooklet) and are now included in a new regulation 4(3). This amendment does notintroduce any new duties on employers.5 The guidance has also been revised in other places, to bring it up to datewith improvements in the knowledge of the risks from manual handling and howto avoid them. However, the main messages about the actions employers andworkers should take to prevent risks have altered very little.6 The Regulations apply to a wide range of manual handling activities involvingthe transporting or supporting of a load. This includes lifting, lowering, pushing,pulling, carrying or moving. The load may be either inanimate, for example, a boxor a trolley, or animate, for example, a person or an animal. The risks from manualhandling can be found across all workplaces, from offices to care homes and fromfactories to warehouses.Scale of the problem7 The most recent survey of self-reported work-related illness estimated that 1.1million people in Britain suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 2001/02,including those caused by manual handling. These account for around half of allwork-related ill health. As a result of MSDs an estimated 12.3 million working dayswere lost in that year. In 1995/96, MSDs cost society 5.7 billion.8 Manual handling accidents account for more than a third of all accidentsreported each year to the enforcing authorities. While fatal manual handlingaccidents are rare, accidents resulting in a major injury are more common,accounting for 10.5% of the total number of reported manual handling accidents in2001/02. The vast majority of reported manual handling accidents result in an overthree-day injury, most commonly a sprain or strain, often of the back. Figures1 to 3 illustrate these patterns for over-three-day injuries reported in 2001/02.Manual handlingPage 5 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveManual handling injuries are part of a wider group of musculoskeletal problems; youmay also find it helpful to refer to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) bookletHSG60 Upper limb disorders in the workplace.5Falls (4%)Other (20%)Trips (23%)Handling (38%)Hit by movingvehicle (2%)Hit by moving,falling object(13%)Figure 1 Kinds of accident causing over-three-day injury 2001/02Other (6%)Fracture (4%)Superficial (4%)Contusion (6%)Lacerations (11%)Sprain/strain (69%)Figure 2 Types of over-three-day injury caused by manual handling accidents 2001/02Manual handlingPage 6 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveOther (16%)Lower limb (5%)Hand (6%)Back,spine (47%)Upper limb (11%)Finger (15%)Figure 3 Sites of over-three-day injuries caused by handling accidents 2001/02Agriculture 33.2%Food products and beverages 36.1%Textiles 37.3%Wood and wood products 32.8%Pulp and paper products 35.6%Chemicals and chemical products 40.3%Rubber and plastic products 38.7%Electrical machinery 43.5%Construction 34.5%Wholesale trade 39.4%Retail trade 39.5%Air transport 51.6%Higher education 37.1%Human health activities 52.3%Social work activities 40.4%010203040Percentage of handling accidents5060Figure 4 Percentage of injuries caused by handling 2001/02Manual handlingPage 7 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutive9 Figure 4, also based on over-three-day injuries reported in 2001/02, shows thatthe problem of manual handling is not confined to a narrow range of industries. Noris the problem confined to ‘industrial’ work: for example, manual handling accountsfor more than 39% of accidents in wholesale and retail distribution and 52% in thehealth services.10 Because of the scale of the problem, prevention and control of MSDs isone of the priority programmes in the Health and Safety Commission’s (HSC’s)strategic plan. As so many people are at risk from manual handling injuries there isconsiderable potential for reducing the total amount of ill health if stakeholders suchas employers, employees’ safety representatives and trade unions take steps to:(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)comply with the Regulations and guidance;review risk assessments as and when necessary;encourage early reporting of symptoms;ensure cases of manual handling injury are managed effectively; andconsult and involve the workforce. They know the risks and can offer solutionsto control them.11 The key messages from the HSC MSD priority programme are that:(a)(b)(c)there are things that can be done to prevent or minimise MSDs;the prevention measures are cost effective;you cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, propertreatment and suitable rehabilitation is essential.12 There is evidence that heavy manual labour, awkward postures, manualhandling, and a previous or existing injury are all risk factors in the development ofMSDs. The injured person may not always make a full recovery; this may dependon the treatment and advice that they receive. Information on how to manage backpain in the workplace is available from HSE’s website and in The back book.613 There is now substantial acceptance of both the scale of manual handlingproblems and methods of prevention. Modern medical and scientific knowledgestresses the importance of an ergonomic approach to remove or reduce the riskof manual handling injury. Ergonomics is sometimes described as ‘fitting the jobto the person, rather than the person to the job’. The ergonomic approach looksat manual handling as a whole. It takes into account a range of relevant factors,including the nature of the task, the load, the working environment and individualcapability and requires worker participation. This approach is central to theEuropean Directive on manual handling, and to the Regulations.14 As mentioned, physical risk factors can be harmful to the body and can leadto people developing MSDs. However, research has shown that psychosocialrisk factors also need to be taken into account. These are things that may affectworkers’ psychological response to their work and workplace conditions (includingworking relationships with supervisors and colleagues). Examples are highworkloads, tight deadlines, and lack of control of the work and working methods.Legal context15 The Regulations should not be considered in isolation. Regulation 3(1) of theManagement Regulations requires employers to make a suitable and sufficientassessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees while at work.Where this general assessment indicates the possibility of risks to employees fromthe manual handling of loads, the requirements of the present Regulations shouldbe followed.Manual handlingPage 8 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutive16 The Regulations establish a clear hierarchy of measures:(a)(b)(c)Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonablypracticable. This may be done by redesigning the task to avoid moving theload or by automating or mechanising the process.Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of any hazardous manual handlingoperations that cannot be avoided.Reduce the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonablypracticable. Where possible, mechanical assistance should be provided, forexample, a sack trolley or hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicablethen changes to the task, the load and the working environment should beexplored.17 The Regulations set no specific requirements such as weight limits.The ergonomic approach shows clearly that such requirements are based on toosimple a view of the problem and may lead to incorrect conclusions. Instead, anergonomic assessment based on a range of relevant factors is used to determinethe risk of injury and point the way to remedial action.18 The law also requires employers to consult their employees on matters thataffect their health and safety. Where an employer recognises a trade union,then the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations (SRSCR)1977,7 provide for the appointment of trade union safety representatives. Underthe SRSCR, the employer is required to consult these safety representatives onmatters that affect the health and safety of the employees they represent. TheSRSCR also specify the functions of such safety representatives and set out theobligations of employers towards them. All other onshore employers have a duty toconsult their employees under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees)Regulations (HSCER) 1996.8 Under the HSCER, the employer can choose howthey consult their employees, either directly with each employee or through electedrepresentatives of employee safety. The HSCER specify the functions of suchrepresentatives and set out the obligations of employers towards them.19 Where it is not possible to avoid a manual handling operation then employershave to assess any risks to the health of their employees. However, a fullassessment of every manual handling operation could be a majorundertaking and might involve wasted effort. To enable assessment work to beconcentrated where it is most needed, Appendix 3 gives numerical guidelineswhich can be used as an initial filter. This will help to identify those manual handlingoperations which need a more detailed examination. However, even manualhandling operations which are within the guidelines should be avoided or madeless demanding wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. Do not regardthe guidelines as precise recommendations. Where there is doubt make amore detailed assessment.20 This booklet contains general guidance within which individual industries andsectors will be able to produce more specific guidance appropriate to their owncircumstances.Manual handlingPage 9 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveRegulation 1Regulation 1 Citation and commencementThese Regulations may be cited as the Manual Handling Operations Regulations1992 and shall come into force on 1 January 1993.RegulationRegulation 2 Interpretation(1)In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –“injury” does not include injury caused by any toxic or corrosive substance which –(a)(b)(c)has leaked or spilled from a load;is present on the surface of a load but has not leaked or spilledfrom it; oris a constituent part of a load;and “injured” shall be construed accordingly;“load” includes any person and any animal;2(1)“manual handling operations” means any transporting or supporting of a load(including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof)by hand or by bodily force.GuidanceDefinitions of certain termsInjury21 The main aim of the Regulations is to prevent injury, not only to the back, butto any part of the body. They require employers to take into account the wholehandling operation including the external physical properties of loads which mighteither affect grip or cause direct injury, for example, slipperiness, roughness, sharpedges and extremes of temperature.22 Hazards which result from any toxic or corrosive properties of the load are notcovered by the Regulations. Hazards which result from spillage or leakage are likelyto be subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 20029(COSHH). For example, the presence of oil on the surface of a load is relevant tothe Regulations if it makes the load slippery to handle, but the risk of dermatitisfrom contact with the oil is dealt with by COSHH.Load2(1)Manual handling23 A load in this context must be a discrete movable object. This includes,for example, not only packages and boxes but also a patient receiving medicalattention, an animal during husbandry or undergoing veterinary treatment, andmaterial supported on a shovel or fork. An implement, tool or machine, such as achainsaw, fire hose or breathing apparatus, is not considered to be a load when inuse for its intended purpose.Page 10 of 90
Health and SafetyExecutiveGuidanceManual handling operations24 The Regulations apply to the manual handling of loads, ie by human effort, asopposed to mechanical handling by crane, lift trucks etc. The human effort may beapplied directly to the load, or indirectly by hauling on a rope or pulling on a lever.Introducing mechanical assistance, for example a sack truck or a powered hoist,may reduce but not eliminate manual handling since human effort is still required tomove, steady or position the load.25 Manual handling includes both transporting a load and supporting a load ina static posture. The load may be moved or supported by the hands or any otherpart of the body, for example, the shoulder. Manual handling also includes theintentional dropping of a load and the throwing of a load, whether into a containeror from one person to another.2(1)26 The application of human effort for a purpose other than transporting orsupporting a load is not a manual handling operation. For example, turning thestarting handle of an engine or lifting a control lever on a machine is not manualhandling, nor is the action of pulling on a rope while lashing down cargo on theback of a vehicle.Regulation 2 (2)(2) Any duty imposed by these Regulations on an employer in respect of hisemployees shall also be imposed on a self-employed person in respect of himself.GuidanceDuties of the self-employed2(2)27 Regulation 2(2) makes the self-employed responsible for their own safetyduring manual handling. They should take the same steps to safeguard themselvesas employers must to protect their employees, in similar circumstances. Employersshould remember, however, that they may be responsible for the health and safetyof someone who is self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes but whoworks under their control and direction (see paragraphs 38-40).RegulationRegulation 3 Disapplication of Regulations3These Regulations shall not apply to or in relation to the master or crew of asea-going ship or to the employer of such persons in respect of the normal shipboard activities of a ship’s crew under the direction of the master.GuidanceSea-going ships328 Sea-going ships are subject to separate Merchant Shipping legislationadministered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Regulations, therefore,do not apply to the normal ship-board activities of a ship’s crew under the directi
Lifting and lowering 58 Frequent lifting and lowering 59 Twisting 59 Guidelines for carrying 60 . It gives general guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous A
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 set out a clear hierarchy of measures for dealing with risk likely to cause harm from manual handling. These are: avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable; assess any manual handling operations that cannot be avoided;File Size: 1MB
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Manual handling is the highest accident trigger reported to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) by the healthcare sector. In 2010, 35% of the total number of incidents reported by the healthcare sector to the HSA were manual handling incidents. Reported incidents concern both patient handling and the manual handling of inanimate loads.
8. Manual Handling Risk Assessment Staff are advised that manual handling should be avoided wherever possible and think about the process with a view to eliminating the activity completely, breaking it into smaller chunks or automating it. Manual handling risk assessments for hazardous moving and handling are to
Manual handling risk assessments Introduction The main areas of concern regarding manual handling are lifting and carrying, and it is important to avoid stooping and twisting where possible. The activity may also include pushing or pulling, and team handling. Manual handling shoul
Manual handling involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, throwing, moving, restraining, holding or handling any animate, or inanimate object. 2.1 HAZARDOUS MANUAL HANDLING TASKS A hazardous manual handling task involves one or more of the following: FORCE
1. Manual Handling Rapid Assessment Filter 2. Notes on the Use of the Manual Handling Rapid Assessment Filter 21 Appendix V HSE Risk Assessment Tool Score Tables 25 Appendix VI Eleven Principles of Good Manual Handling 26 Appendix VII Membership of the
