The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992 defines manual handling as ‘any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force
This legislation aims to reduce instances of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers. It puts you under the legal obligation to conduct a suitable assessment of risks to employees from the manual handling of loads.
It defines a load as an ‘object, person or animal’. And requires you to consider factors that can create a risk of injury to your staff members.
Examples of factors include:
The weight of the item.
The carrying distance of the item.
Twisting, turning, bending, stretching or any other posture staff may adopt when completing tasks.
This article explores manual handling training and the role it plays in ensuring employee safety.
