{"id":23574,"date":"2018-02-07T09:24:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T09:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=23574"},"modified":"2024-08-16T12:53:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T11:53:27","slug":"manual-handling-regulations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/manual-handling-regulations\/","title":{"rendered":"Manual Handling Training: What are the Regulations?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992<\/strong> define manual handling as:<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2026any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Under the Manual Handling Regulations, if your workplace requires manual handling activities then it\u2019s essential that everyone receives proper training and understands the associated risks.<\/p>\n

This article will outline the importance of manual handling training, and answer some common queries surrounding manual handling regulations.<\/p>\n

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Why is Manual Handling Training Important?<\/h2>\n

In most workplaces, manual handling happens every day. Manual handling isn\u2019t just confined to construction sites and carrying bricks. It also occurs in places like kitchens, where staff need to carry heavy pans and large boxes of food. Even offices require some form of manual handling.<\/p>\n

Manual handling training is equally important in all environments where manual handling occurs.<\/p>\n

There are two main reasons why it is important:<\/p>\n

Reducing Injuries<\/h4>\n

Manual handling training ensures safety and reduces the risk of injury. This applies to everyone on site: employers, supervisors and managers, staff, and site visitors.<\/p>\n

The most common injury from manual handling is musculoskeletal disorders<\/a> (MSDs). The term MSD refers to any injury, damage, or disorder of the joints or tissues in the upper or lower limbs or the back. The HSE report that 473,000 workers suffered from work-related MSDs in 2022\/23. <\/strong>Of this number, 41% (196,000) were MSDs in the upper limbs or neck.<\/p>\n

Increasing Productivity<\/h4>\n

The HSE also report that 31.5 million<\/strong> working days were lost in 2022\/23 due to work-related ill health. Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 21%<\/strong> of this number.<\/p>\n

Such a large amount of lost days significantly impacts productivity and output, as employees simply aren\u2019t in work to complete their jobs. Manual handling training is important for reducing this figure and improving overall productivity.<\/p>\n

\"manual<\/p>\n

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Is Manual Handling Training a Legal Requirement?<\/h3>\n

Under the Manual Handling Regulations you are legally obliged to ensure all employees are trained and competent in manual handling. Staff should avoid manual handling and, if they can\u2019t, you must take steps to reduce the risk of injury.<\/p>\n

This risk can be dramatically reduced if you carry out an appropriate risk assessment. A risk assessment involves examining what could cause harm to people and reveals areas for potential risk, which you should then work to rectify.<\/p>\n

There are five steps to a risk assessment:<\/h4>\n
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  1. Identify the hazards.<\/strong> To achieve this, you should conduct a workplace observation, ask employees for feedback, and review accident and ill health records. You should especially assess the hazards that come with:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n