Activities which require bodily effort to move, lift or support any load, are manual handling activities.
Manual Handling accounts for the largest number of lost time injuries at work.
Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, all manual handling activities which involve a risk of injury should be avoided where possible. If it is not possible to avoid the activity, then an assessment of the associated risks must be undertaken, and the risks reduced to the lowest level possible.
The risk assessment should take into account the load (animate, ie people and animals, and inanimate, ie boxes, furniture), the task, the environment in which the activity is performed, and the capabilities of the employee/s to carry out the activity safely.
Priority should be given to the physical suitability of the employee, the clothing, footwear and other personal effects they may wear, level of knowledge and training, health surveillance.
The findings of the risk assessments carried out must be brought to the attention of employees.