16 April 2003
Good manual handling principles
New research highlights good practice in lifting tasks
A fresh set of principles to help workers avoid back problems through poor manual handling techniques has been published following new research.
Yesterday, the Health and Safety Executive published "The principles of good manual handling: achieving a consensus", which examined existing guidance on manual handling in the workplace. The research was conducted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) in consultation with manual handling trainers, industry safety practitioners, ergonomists and other professionals involved with training in manual handling.
The research document makes it clear that The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 place requirements on employers to avoid hazardous manual handling activities where reasonably practicable to do so. "Where this is not practicable they (employers) must institute a series of measures intended to remove or reduce the risk of injury associated with manual handling tasks," it says in its introduction.
Launching the research at the Ergonomics Society Conference in Edinburgh, health and safety commissioner Margaret Burns, said: "This research, which feeds into the development of the Health and Safety Commission's Priority Programme on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), has highlighted factors that employers and employees need to take into account to ensure that manual handling is carried out safely.
"The ability to handle loads safely is one of a number of issues that must be addressed if manual handling injuries are to be avoided. The principles drawn up as a result of the research, will be used to revise HSE's guidance of how employers should comply with the manual handling operations regulations, which is currently under way."
A summary of the revised principles on "lifting with both hands taking place in front of and close to the body", is:
> Anybody engaging in this kind of work should think before they lift
> Keep the load close to the waist;
> Adopt a stable position ensuring a good hold on the load
> At the start of a lift flex the hips and knees rather than the back
> Ensure a good hold on the load
> Avoid twisting the trunk or leaning sideways
> Keep the head up when handling
> Do not lift or handle more than can be easily managed
The charity BackCare has already used the research to revise its advice book "BackCare at work: an ergonomic guide to manual handling", which was also published yesterday.
Colin Jones, chief executive of BackCare, said: "This research played an important part in informing the revision of our guidance, which contains over 70 illustrations providing general advice on back pain, its causes and ways to minimise risk when lifting and carrying, highlighting the need to fit the ways of manual handling at work to the capabilities of the handler. Its easy to follow advice will be particularly helpful to small businesses."
A fresh set of principles to help workers avoid back problems through poor manual handling techniques has been published following new research.
Yesterday, the Health and Safety Executive published "The principles of good manual handling: achieving a consensus", which examined existing guidance on manual handling in the workplace. The research was conducted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) in consultation with manual handling trainers, industry safety practitioners, ergonomists and other professionals involved with training in manual handling.
The research document makes it clear that The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 place requirements on employers to avoid hazardous manual handling activities where reasonably practicable to do so. "Where this is not practicable they (employers) must institute a series of measures intended to remove or reduce the risk of injury associated with manual handling tasks," it says in its introduction.
Launching the research at the Ergonomics Society Conference in Edinburgh, health and safety commissioner Margaret Burns, said: "This research, which feeds into the development of the Health and Safety Commission's Priority Programme on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), has highlighted factors that employers and employees need to take into account to ensure that manual handling is carried out safely.
"The ability to handle loads safely is one of a number of issues that must be addressed if manual handling injuries are to be avoided. The principles drawn up as a result of the research, will be used to revise HSE's guidance of how employers should comply with the manual handling operations regulations, which is currently under way."
A summary of the revised principles on "lifting with both hands taking place in front of and close to the body", is:
> Anybody engaging in this kind of work should think before they lift
> Keep the load close to the waist;
> Adopt a stable position ensuring a good hold on the load
> At the start of a lift flex the hips and knees rather than the back
> Ensure a good hold on the load
> Avoid twisting the trunk or leaning sideways
> Keep the head up when handling
> Do not lift or handle more than can be easily managed
The charity BackCare has already used the research to revise its advice book "BackCare at work: an ergonomic guide to manual handling", which was also published yesterday.
Colin Jones, chief executive of BackCare, said: "This research played an important part in informing the revision of our guidance, which contains over 70 illustrations providing general advice on back pain, its causes and ways to minimise risk when lifting and carrying, highlighting the need to fit the ways of manual handling at work to the capabilities of the handler. Its easy to follow advice will be particularly helpful to small businesses."