Manual handling
Publications
.Getting to grips with manual handling(293 KB)
Manual handling includes lifting, carrying, putting down, pushing, pulling, moving or supporting a load by hand or using other bodily force. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations requires employers to firstly avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable. Where they cannot be avoided, employers must assess the risks from manual handling activities to reduce the likelihood of injury. Getting to grips with manual handling gives useful practical advice for employers and employees on how to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling.
.Manual handling assessment chart (MAC tool)(323KB)
The MAC tool has been developed to help the user identify high risk workplace manual handling activities.The tool can be used to assess the risks posed by lifting, carrying and team manual handling activities. It is designed to help you understand, interpret and categorise the level of risk of the various known risk factors associated with manual handling activities. The MAC tool incorporates a numerical and a colour coding score system to highlight high risk manual handling tasks.
Lighten the load(564 KB)
Numerous studies have estimated that 60% to 90% of people will suffer a lower back disorder at some time or other in their lives.Workers in the healthcare sector are particularly prone to the problem HSENI has produced leaflet 'Lighten the load' to raise awareness and help prevent lower back injury in the healthcare sector.
HSE manual handling microsite
A lot of useful information can be found on the HSE manual handling microsite:
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/manlinde.htm
