Manual handling

Typical injuries include sprains, strains, cuts, and even fractures.

Manual handling includes the transporting or supporting of loads by hand or the use of bodily force. This includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving loads. The types of loads handled can vary widely. Examples include boxes, furniture, and equipment.

You may need to:

• Identify circumstances where manual handling is required
• Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks so far as is reasonably practicable
• Decide if there is a risk of injury
• Complete specific risk assessments for any hazardous task that cannot be avoided
• Take additional precautions if existing ones are inadequate
• Make sure that staff know how to use any equipment provided or lift safely, providing certain information in some circumstances
• Document your arrangements for preventing injury from manual handling tasks, and keep certain records.