Manual Handling Assessments
Overview
Manual Handling of loads can be described as any transporting or supporting of a load by one or more employees and includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving a load, which by reason of its characteristics or of unfavourable ergonomic conditions involves risk, particularly of back injury, to employees.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007, it is the duty of every employer to avoid the need for Manual Handling of loads for all employees. If this is not possible an employer must ensure that the risk factors stated in Schedule 3 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007, are reduced to acceptable levels
A Manual Handling Risk Assessment looks at five main areas:
- Characteristics of the load i.e. too heavy / too large, difficult to hold, unstable etc
- Physical effort required i.e. may result in back injury if physical effort is too strenuous, causes twisting of the trunk, results in the body been in an unstable posture etc
- Characteristics of the working environment i.e. not enough room to move the object, an uneven floor surface, unstable floor or foot rest etc
- Requirements of the activity i.e. excessive lifting, lowering or carrying distances, a lack of sufficient resting periods for strained muscles etc
- Individual risk factors i.e. an employee wearing unsuitable clothing / foot wear, not having proper knowledge and training etc.
Benefits of a Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Ensures that the employer is complient with his leglastive requirements.
Allows the employer to provide a safer and more productive work force.
For more information please contact us.