Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
Regulation
(1) Each employer shall –
4(1)a
(a)
so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for his employees to
undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of
their being injured.
Guidance
Avoiding manual handling
41 If the general assessment carried out under regulation 3(1) of the Management
Regulations indicates a possibility of injury from manual handling operations, the
first thing to consider is whether the manual handling operation can be avoided
altogether. It may not be necessary to assess the risk in great detail, particularly if
the operations can easily be avoided or the appropriate steps to reduce any risk of
injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable are obvious. Appendix 3 provides
some simple numerical guidelines to assist with this initial judgement, at least in
relatively straightforward cases.
Elimination of handling
42 When trying to avoid manual handling the first questions to ask are whether
the load/s need to be handled at all, or could the work be done in a different way?
For example, can a process such as machining or wrapping be carried out in situ,
without handling the loads? Can a treatment be brought to a patient rather than
taking the patient to the treatment?
Automation or mechanisation
43 If, so far as is reasonably practicable, handling of the load cannot be avoided,
then can the operation/s be either:
(a)
(b)
automated; or
mechanised?
44 Remember that the introduction of automation or mechanisation may create
other, different risks. Even automated plant will require maintenance and repair.
Mechanisation, for example by the introduction of lift trucks or powered conveyors,
may introduce different risks requiring precautions of their own.
4(1)(a)
45 Decisions on the use of mechanisation or automation are best made when
plant or systems of work are being designed. Raw materials can be handled in
the workplace in ways that eliminate or reduce the need for manual handling. For
example, powders or liquids can be transferred from large containers and big
bags by gravity feed or pneumatic transfer, avoiding bag or container handling.
The layout of the process can often be designed to minimise transfer of materials
or the distance over which containers have to be moved. Examination of existing
activities may also reveal opportunities for avoiding manual handling operations
that involve a risk of injury. Such improvements often bring additional benefits in
terms of greater efficiency and productivity, and reduced damage to loads.
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