No room for complacency in manual handling operations

The Court of Appeal's decision in Parr v Gravatom Engineering Systems Ltd is a reminder that a risk assessment must be undertaken. If the risk cannot be eliminated entirely, appropriate steps must be taken to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable. So, what should a risk assessment include?

Where there is a risk of an employee being injured when undertaking any manual handling operations, consider the following before instructing that the work be carried out:

Does the task involve:

• Holding or manipulating loads at distance from the trunk?
• Twisting the trunk, stooping, reaching upwards?
• Excessive movements of loads especially excessive lifting or lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling?
• The risk of sudden movement of loads?
• Frequent or prolonged physical effort?
• Insufficient rest or recovery periods?
• A rate of work imposed by a process?

Are the loads heavy, bulky or unwieldy, difficult to grasp, unstable or likely to shift, sharp, hot or potentially damaging?

Does the working environment have:

• Space constraints preventing good posture?
• Uneven, slippery or unstable floors or work surfaces?
• Extremes of temperature or humidity?
• Ventilation problems or poor lighting conditions?

Does the job:

• Require unusual strength, height etc?
• Create a hazard to pregnant women or employees with health problems?
• Require special information or training for its safe performance?

Is movement or posture hindered by personal protective equipment or by clothing?

If there is high risk or a risk of serious injury, then ideally the risk should be eliminated (for example through use of mechanical lifting devices). If however, elimination of the risk is not practicable then steps must be taken to reduce the risk to the lowest level that is practicable. This may be through provision of manual handling training, ensuring that clear procedures are in place identifying how the manual handling should be done and how many involved, monitoring and enforcing such procedures and even, taking account of individual circumstances, precluding certain individuals from being involved in the manual handling.