Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
Guidance
60 Those responsible for assessment should be familiar with the main
requirements of the Regulations and have the ability to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
identify hazards (including less obvious ones) and assess risks from the type
of manual handling being done;
use additional sources of information on risks as appropriate;
draw valid and reliable conclusions from assessments and identify steps to
reduce risks;
make a clear record of the assessment and communicate the findings to
those who need to take appropriate action, and to the worker(s)
concerned;
recognise their own limitations as to assessment so that further expertise can
be called on if necessary.
61 While one individual may be able to carry out a perfectly satisfactory
assessment, at least in relatively straightforward cases, it can be helpful to draw
on the knowledge and expertise of others. In some organisations this is done
informally, while others prefer to set up a small assessment team. Areas of
knowledge and expertise likely to be relevant to successful risk assessment of
manual handling operations, and individuals who may be able to make a
useful contribution are shown in Table 1.
62 It may be appropriate to seek outside help, for example, to give training to
in-house assessors or where manual handling risks are novel or particularly difficult
to assess. Possible sources of such help are given in the ‘Useful contacts’ section.
Outside specialist advice may also help solve unusual handling problems or
contribute to ergonomic design. But employers should oversee the assessment as
they have the final responsibility for it.
Records of accidents and ill health
63 Well-kept records of accidents and ill health can play a useful part in the
assessment process. They should identify and document any accidents associated
with manual handling. Careful analysis may also show evidence of any links
between manual handling and ill health, including injuries apparently unrelated
to any specific event or accident. Other possible indicators of manual handling
problems include:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
high levels of absenteeism or staff turnover;
poor productivity and morale;
excessive product damage;
unwillingness by employees to perform a specific task or tasks; and
general dissatisfaction among the employees concerned.
4(1)(b)(i)
64 However, such indicators are not a complete guide and should be used only
to supplement other risk assessment methods.
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