Manual handling
These are the most common injuries related to manual handling, as shown by injury claims.
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Injury Hotspot skeleton diagram, text information below.
Hazards
- Hazard 1
Manual handling in all workplaces
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment to control the risk of manual handling.
- Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Store objects at waist height to reduce the need to lift objects.
- Reduce the size and weight of objects to be lifted (ensure this does not increase the frequency of lifting).
- Ensure floors and ground surfaces in work areas, car parks and entrances are level, clean, well lit, clear of obstacles and in good condition.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
- 35 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen / pelvis.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- Hazard 2
Manual handling in construction
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg cranes, material hoists, forklifts, hand trucks) to control the risk of manual handling.
- Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Arrange for bulky materials to be delivered to the final work location.
- Provide lifting points or handles for heavy or awkward loads.
- Order materials in smaller sizes (eg 20kg bags instead of 40kg bags).
- Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive tasks for long periods or tasks that require a significant amount of high force.
- Train employees on safe handling methods (eg that the best working zone is when work is between shoulder and mid-thigh height and where the elbows are close to the body) and how to safely use any mechanical equipment and aids.
- Supervise employees, particularly young workers, while using mechanical aids and equipment
- When lifting objects use appropriate personal protective equipment (eg gloves, long trousers, boots, knee protection pads) and cover any sharp edges.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
- 35 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen / pelvis.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- Hazard 3
Manual handling in health care and social services
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg overhead tracking, hoists, mobile hoists, electric tugs, wheeled equipment, inflatable mats, slide sheets) to eliminate manual transfer of patients, where reasonably practicable.
- Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Provide trollies or lifting aids for moving heavy equipment (eg orthopaedic sets).
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids (eg self-height adjusting bin inserts in laundry trolleys) to eliminate manual lifting.
- Ensure floor surfaces are appropriate (eg for trolleys and wheelchairs) and pathways are clear of obstructions.
- Train employees on safe handling methods (eg that the best working zone is when work is between shoulder and mid-thigh height and where the elbows are close to the body) and how to safely use and mechanical aids and equipment.
- Supervise employees, particularly young workers, while using mechanical aids and equipment.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
- 35 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen / pelvis.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- Hazard 4
Manual handling in manufacturing and retail
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg forklifts, height adjustable trolleys, cranes) to control the risk of manual handling.
- Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Provide suction systems for bulk supply of product and move them via forklift or other mechanical aids.
- Use height-adjustable workstations and raise, lower or move either the work or the worker.
- Provide height access equipment (eg mobile steps with handrails and work platforms) to reach objects or undertake work above shoulder height.
- Ensure floor surfaces are appropriate (eg for trolleys) and pathways are clear of obstructions.
- Position shelving and racking in storage areas at accessible heights.
- Train employees on safe handling methods (eg that the best working zone is when work is between shoulder and mid-thigh height and where the elbows are close to the body) and how to safely use any mechanical equipment and aids.
- Supervise employees, particularly young workers, while using mechanical aids and equipment.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
- 35 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen / pelvis.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- Hazard 5
Manual handling in transport and warehousing
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg height adjustable order picking trolleys, automatic in-feeds, four-wheel trolleys and lifters) to control the risk of manual handling.
- Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Eliminate manual lifting of hardwood pallets.
- Provide appropriate wrapping and stillages to prevent objects falling from containment.
- Stack heaviest items at the base of the load.
- Use plate freezers or trolley systems. If this isn't reasonably practicable, use aids such as height adjustable racking and trolleys, pallet lift tables and vacuum lifters.
- Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive tasks for long periods or tasks that require a significant amount of high force.
- Train employees on safe handling methods (eg that the best working zone is when work is between shoulder and mid-thigh height and where the elbows are close to the body) and how to safely use any mechanical equipment and aids.
- Supervise employees, particularly young workers, while using mechanical aids and equipment.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
- 35 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen / pelvis.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
'If you are injured at work' poster
Employers must display an 'if you are injured at work' poster in every workplace. You can download and print a poster in English as well as Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.