Manual Handling at Work – A brief guide

Ignite your knowledge

As an employer, you must protect your workers from the risk of injury and ill health from hazardous manual handling tasks in the workplace. This leaflet will help you do that. It includes simple risk filters to help you identify which manual handling activities are hazardous. 

 

What does the law say?

AVOID

Avoid hazardous manual handling operations 'so far as reasonably practiclable'

ASSESS

Assess the risk of injury to workers from any hazardous manual handling that can't be avoided

REDUCE

Reduce the risk of injury to workers from hazardous manual handling to as low as reasonably practicable.

Workers have duties. They should:

Follow systems of work in place for their health and safety
Use properly any equipment provided for their health and safety
Cooperate with you on health and safety matters
Inform you if things change or they identify hazardous handling activities
Take care to make sure their activities do not put others at risk

Manual Handling Training

Manual handling training is vital for workplace safety, providing individuals with proper techniques to minimise injury risks. It helps recognise and mitigate hazards, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity. This training is essential for personal safety, injury prevention, and a secure work environment.