No room for complacency in manual handling operations

The risk of injury from manual handling operations is something employers need to consider, monitor and keep under review. The fact that a particular operation has been carried out previously without injury resulting will not necessarily stand an employer in good stead should an injury subsequently occur.

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. Complacency in relation to risk assessments is not acceptable, so what do you need to do?

Here are some simple reminders and actions to take.

We have also prepared a detailed analysis of the Parr judgment.