Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
9 Figure 4, also based on over-three-day injuries reported in 2001/02, shows that
the problem of manual handling is not confined to a narrow range of industries. Nor
is the problem confined to ‘industrial’ work: for example, manual handling accounts
for more than 39% of accidents in wholesale and retail distribution and 52% in the
health services.
10 Because of the scale of the problem, prevention and control of MSDs is
one of the priority programmes in the Health and Safety Commission’s (HSC’s)
strategic plan. As so many people are at risk from manual handling injuries there is
considerable potential for reducing the total amount of ill health if stakeholders such
as employers, employees’ safety representatives and trade unions take steps to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
comply with the Regulations and guidance;
review risk assessments as and when necessary;
encourage early reporting of symptoms;
ensure cases of manual handling injury are managed effectively; and
consult and involve the workforce. They know the risks and can offer solutions
to control them.
11 The key messages from the HSC MSD priority programme are that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
there are things that can be done to prevent or minimise MSDs;
the prevention measures are cost effective;
you cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, proper
treatment and suitable rehabilitation is essential.
12 There is evidence that heavy manual labour, awkward postures, manual
handling, and a previous or existing injury are all risk factors in the development of
MSDs. The injured person may not always make a full recovery; this may depend
on the treatment and advice that they receive. Information on how to manage back
pain in the workplace is available from HSE’s website and in The back book. 6
13 There is now substantial acceptance of both the scale of manual handling
problems and methods of prevention. Modern medical and scientific knowledge
stresses the importance of an ergonomic approach to remove or reduce the risk
of manual handling injury. Ergonomics is sometimes described as ‘fitting the job
to the person, rather than the person to the job’. The ergonomic approach looks
at manual handling as a whole. It takes into account a range of relevant factors,
including the nature of the task, the load, the working environment and individual
capability and requires worker participation. This approach is central to the
European Directive on manual handling, and to the Regulations.
14 As mentioned, physical risk factors can be harmful to the body and can lead
to people developing MSDs. However, research has shown that psychosocial
risk factors also need to be taken into account. These are things that may affect
workers’ psychological response to their work and workplace conditions (including
working relationships with supervisors and colleagues). Examples are high
workloads, tight deadlines, and lack of control of the work and working methods.
Legal context
15 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.
Where this general assessment indicates the possibility of risks to employees from
the manual handling of loads, the requirements of the present Regulations should
be followed.
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