Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
Guidance
129 If a variety of weights is to be handled, it may be possible to arrange the loads
by weight so that additional precautions, for example lifting aids, can be used when
handling the heaviest.
130 When moving and handling people, an individual risk assessment should be
carried out and the result recorded. Typically this is located in their care plan. The
care plan should accompany the patient wherever they go during treatment to
ensure all staff involved with the care are aware of the requirements.
Is the load bulky or unwieldy?
131 The shape of a load will affect the way it can be held. For example, the risk
of injury will be increased if a load to be lifted from the ground is not small enough
to pass between the knees. In these circumstances, its size will prevent the worker
getting close enough to pick it up safely. Similarly, if the bottom front corners of a
load are not within reach when carried at waist height it will be harder to get a good
grip. Also if handlers have to lean away from a load to keep it off the ground when
carrying it at their side, they will be forced into unfavourable postures.
132 In general, if any dimension of the load exceeds about 75 cm, its handling is
likely to pose an increased risk of injury, especially if this size is exceeded in more
than one dimension. The risk will be further increased if the load does not provide
convenient handholds. For loads of these dimensions, appropriate handling aids
should be considered.
133 The bulk of the load can also interfere with vision. Where it is not possible to
avoid a bulky load restricting a worker’s vision then the increased risk of slipping,
tripping, falling or colliding with obstructions should be taken into account. It may
be possible to counteract this problem by considering a team lift. If one employee’s
vision is impeded by the load it may be possible for another employee to support
the other end and therefore have a clear view.
134 The risk of injury will also be increased if the load is unwieldy and difficult
to control. Well-balanced lifting may be difficult to achieve, the load may
hit obstructions, or it may be affected by gusts of wind or other sudden air
movements.
135 If the centre of gravity of the load is not positioned centrally within the load,
inappropriate handling may increase the risk of injury. For example, loads which
have much of the weight at the back should not be lifted from the front. This will
place its centre of gravity further from the handler’s body than if it is approached
from the other side or is turned around and lifted from the back.
136 Sometimes, as with a sealed and unmarked package, an offset centre of
gravity is not immediately apparent. In these circumstances, there is a greater risk
of injury since the handler may unwittingly hold the load with its centre of gravity
further from the body than is necessary.
Making the load easier to grasp
4(1)(b)(i) and (ii)
137 If the load is difficult to grasp, for example because it is large, rounded,
smooth, wet or greasy, its handling will call for extra grip strength, which is tiring
and will probably involve inadvertent changes of posture. There will also be a
greater risk of dropping the load. Handling will be less easy and the risk of injury
will be increased. Using gloves may also make a load more difficult to hold (see
paragraph 185).
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