Manual Handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 ...

Health and Safety
Executive
9 Individual characteristics such as age, sex, physical fitness, strength and
psychosocial factors are not included on the chart, but should be considered when
completing the score sheet.
10 Total numerical scores should be used to assist the assessor with their
prioritisation of remedial actions. The scores provide an indication of which
manual handling tasks require attention first. The scores should only be used for
comparison purposes since the total scores do not relate to objective action levels.
The scores can also be used as a way of evaluating potential improvements.
Generally the most effective improvements will bring about the highest reduction in
the score.
11 The primary aim of the MAC is to act as an aid to identifying high-risk
activities for which urgent further action is necessary:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Purple or red scores for any risk factor are generally considered to imply a
high risk of injury needing prompt action to reduce the risk. It is likely to be
worth taking such action immediately, then resuming the risk assessment
process from the beginning to check that the action taken has been
successful and that no other significant risks remain.
Amber scores generally require a more detailed assessment, looking at the
scope for reducing the overall risk.
Task components with green scores are generally considered to have a
low level of risk. The vulnerability of special risk groups (eg pregnant and
young workers) should be considered where appropriate. However, it should
be remembered that there is no threshold below which manual handling
operations may be regarded as ‘safe’. Even operations lying within the green
zone should be avoided or made less demanding wherever it is reasonably
practicable to do so.
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