Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
Guidance
Manual handling operations
24 The Regulations apply to the manual handling of loads, ie by human effort, as
opposed to mechanical handling by crane, lift trucks etc. The human effort may be
applied 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 to
move, steady or position the load.
25 Manual handling includes both transporting a load and supporting a load in
a static posture. The load may be moved or supported by the hands or any other
part of the body, for example, the shoulder. Manual handling also includes the
intentional dropping of a load and the throwing of a load, whether into a container
or from one person to another.
2(1)
Regulation 2 (2)
Guidance
2(2)
26 The application of human effort for a purpose other than transporting or
supporting a load is not a manual handling operation. For example, turning the
starting handle of an engine or lifting a control lever on a machine is not manual
handling, nor is the action of pulling on a rope while lashing down cargo on the
back of a vehicle.
(2) Any duty imposed by these Regulations on an employer in respect of his
employees shall also be imposed on a self-employed person in respect of himself.
Duties of the self-employed
27 Regulation 2(2) makes the self-employed responsible for their own safety
during manual handling. They should take the same steps to safeguard themselves
as employers must to protect their employees, in similar circumstances. Employers
should remember, however, that they may be responsible for the health and safety
of someone who is self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes but who
works under their control and direction (see paragraphs 38-40).
Regulation
3
Guidance
3
Regulation 3 Disapplication of Regulations
These Regulations shall not apply to or in relation to the master or crew of a
sea-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.
Sea-going ships
28 Sea-going ships are subject to separate Merchant Shipping legislation
administered 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 direction
of the master. However, the Regulations may apply to other manual handling
operations aboard a ship, for example, where a shore-based contractor carries out
the work, provided the ship is within territorial waters. The Regulations also apply to
certain activities carried out offshore (see regulation 7).
Guidance
Regulation 4 Duties of employers
Introduction
4
29 The Regulations should not be considered in isolation. Regulation 3(1) of the
Management Regulations requires employers to make a suitable and sufficient
assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees while at work.
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