Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
Guidance
Working at different levels
Are there variations in floor level?
161 The presence of steps, steep slopes etc can increase the risk of injury by
making movement more difficult when handling loads. Carrying a load up or down
a ladder, if it cannot be avoided, is likely to make handling problems worse because
of the need to keep a hold on the ladder.
162 Where possible, all manual handling activities should be carried out on a single
level. Where more than one level is involved, the transition should preferably be
made by a gentle slope or, failing that, by well-positioned and properly maintained
steps. Manual handling on steep slopes should be avoided as far as possible.
163 The presence of slopes is an important consideration when pushing or pulling
loads. Pushing is generally preferable to pulling. Slopes should not be so steep as
to make keeping control of the load difficult.
164 Another risk from pushing/pulling on a slope is that the forces involved are
increased. For example, for a load of 400 kg and a slope of 1 in 12 (4.8º), the
additional force required is 33 kg (330 newtons). This is above the guideline weight
for males and well in excess of the guideline weight for females. Table 2 shows the
approximate increase in push forces that can be expected per 100 kg of load, on
different slope angles.
Table 2 Effect of slope angle on push force
Slope gradient (degrees)
Push force (kg) increase per 100 kg of laden
trolley weight
1 2
3 5
5 9
7 12
10 17.5
Are work surfaces at different heights?
165 Too much variation between the heights of working surfaces, storage shelving
etc will increase the range of movement and therefore the risk of injury. This is
particularly so if the variation is large and requires, for example, movement of the
load from near floor level to shoulder height or higher. Therefore it is good practice
to provide either:
4(1)(b)(i) and (ii)
(a)
(b)
working surfaces, such as benches, that are at a uniform height to reduce the
need for raising or lowering loads; or
height-adjustable equipment, for example a scissor lift.
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