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Manual Handling Risk Assessment

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A comprehensive manual handling risk assessment should be able to:

• identify hazards that may cause musculoskeletal injuries to workers when they perform manual handling tasks
• evaluate the load capacity of an item
• determine the risks while carrying or lifting loads
• capture photo hazards and annotate them to highlight the issues encountered
• assign corrective actions to the authorized person or team
• specify and implement remedial actions based on the assessment result

This manual handling risk assessment template involves collecting preliminary information such as task details, load weight, lifting frequency, carry distances, and personnel involved. It also includes evaluating questions for lifting and carrying tasks, and assigns a risk level to each task based on the responses in the questionnaire.

What is Manual Handling Risk Assessment?

Similar to a regular risk assessment, a manual handling risk assessment is carried out to identify and evaluate risk factors. Specifically activities of lifting, putting down, carrying, moving, and handling objects during work operations. It is primarily carried out by health and safety officers. Once a manual handling risk assessment is completed, health and safety workers work to develop processes and preventive measures. Assessing manual handling risks is crucial to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), increase job satisfaction, and improve quality of work.

When is a Manual Handling Risk Assessment Required?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that a third of workplace injuries are caused by manual handling. HSE warns workers and employers to avoid manual handling if possible to prevent injuries. In situations where manual handling cannot be avoided, it is recommended to mitigate the risk of injury by putting safety measures in place. One such safety measure is to conduct a risk assessment for every task that can potentially be risky or hazardous. 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 aims to protect the personnel in charge of manual handling activities such as lifting and lowering. This amendment covers areas for health and safety measures as well. These measures are divided into 3 parts. First is to avoid manual handling activities as much as possible. Second is to do a risk assessment of any manual handling activities that can’t be avoided. Lastly, reduce risks and eliminate any possible workplace injury.

How do you carry out a manual handling risk assessment?

Risk assessments are considered to be a normal process to have a successful manual handling operation. As previously stated, businesses are required to carry out a manual handling risk assessment when there’s possible risk of injury. They are responsible for establishing processes and preventive measures from the results. Every type of risk assessment has something in common. Here are the steps adapted from HSA’s guide on how to conduct a manual handling risk assessment:

• Determine the task – Ask the workers how the task is done. Establish the scope of the manual handling activity and its important stages. This helps pinpoint the exact moment an injury may happen.
• Retrieve essential information – This includes technical information such as load factors of TILE. Load factors to consider are the weight, size, and shape. Another essential information is knowing what postures will the worker be in, size of the space, number of manual handling tasks, and the employee’s technical knowledge.
• Determine the risk factors – Find out the hazards and risk factors. Every factor needs evidence on why it’s a potential risk for the manual handling activity. 
• Identify potential improvements – Consult with the personnel using the objective results of the manual handling risk assessment. These improvements should reduce or prevent injury due to manual handling activity. HSA suggests developing a safe system of work plan and to use equipment when possible.
• Review the changes – A staff member should do regular inspections to check the effectiveness of the implemented improvements. Risk assessments are a continuous process that should be updated regularly and revised when necessary.

4 Key Areas of Manual Handling

When performing manual handling risk assessments , the assessor mainly focuses on the 4 key areas of manual handling which is often referred to as the acronym TILE (Task, Individual, Load, and Environment), this can also be referred to as LITE. In some safety circles, “other factors” have been identified as another key area for evaluating manual handling risks, turning the assessment method into TILEO (Task, Individual, Load, Environment, and Other factors).

TILE: Task, Individual, Load, Environment | SafetyCulture

Manual Handling Hazards

A hazard in manual handling usually means any source that can expose workers to the risk of MSDs and other injuries. Upon identifying hazardous manual handling, assess the risks and mitigate them according to the hierarchy of controls and by conducting manual handling toolbox talks . The most common moving and manual handling hazards as categorized by TILEO:

• Task: Manual handling tasks that are too strenuous, involves long distances, and availability of rest and recovery.
• Individual: This involves the worker’s capabilities such as no training, lack of experience, unfamiliar with the job, physical capabilities, and prior history of injuries.
• Load: This risk can be caused by objects that are too heavy, too large, difficult to grasp or reach, obscures the worker’s view, and unbalanced, unstable or if its contents can move.
• Environment: Hazards because of insufficient work space, uneven or slippery floors, unstable platforms, heat stress, and poor lighting.
• Other factors: monotonous tasks at a high pace and prolonged work without resting, among others.

Example of Manual Handling Risks

Generally, the risk factors for manual handling follow the principle of direct correlation. For example, if the frequency, magnitude, or duration of hazardous manual handling increases, then the risk of being injured also increases, as well as the need for more effective control measures or higher levels in the hierarchy of controls. According to SafeWork Australia , the characteristics of hazardous manual tasks involve:

• Repetitive Force – lifting and stacking goods onto a pallet
• Sustained Force – carrying objects over long distances
• High Force – lifting, lowering, or carrying a heavy object
• Sudden Force – throwing or catching objects
• Repetitive Movement – lifting goods from a conveyor belt and packing them in a carton
• Sustained Posture – supporting plasterboard sheeting while it is nailed into place
• Awkward Posture – squatting while servicing plant or a vehicle
• Whole-body Vibration – operating mobile plant such as heavy earth moving machinery
• Hand-arm Vibration – using impact wrenches, chainsaws, jackhammers, grinders, and drills ( click here to learn more about HAVS: Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome )

Manual Handling Risk Assessment Tool

Assessing and mitigating manual handling risks are just the beginning. Easily demonstrate how you value your employees’ safety and build a safety culture from the ground up with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) , a manual handling risk assessment tool that can help you perform the following:

• Use manual handling risk assessment templates anytime, anywhere, and on any mobile device—even when offline or without internet connection
• Take photos of manual handling risk factors and annotate images for improved visual reference
• Assign corrective actions with a priority level and due date to effectively record and follow through on control measures
• Auto-generate and secure manual handling assessments in the cloud and access them from wherever you are
• Share handling assessment reports to key personnel with a tap of a finger

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Get started by downloading this free collection of customizable manual handling risk assessment templates and modify them according to your business needs.

Featured Manual Handling Risk Assessment Templates

Manual handling risk assessment template.

A manual handling risk assessment template is used by managers or shift supervisors to help identify the risk for all workers who perform manual handling, lifting, and carrying of loads. This template includes observation tips to assist the supervisor when inspecting workers performing manual tasks. Use the color-coded risk rating reference to rate the overall risk level of the manual handling activity. Perform observations with SafetyCulture to assess the position of the operative’s hands at the start of the lift and as the lift progresses. Check the route, distance, and other environmental factors to help identify the manual handling risks. Use SafetyCulture to generate comprehensive web reports even while on site.

Manual Handling Assessment

A manual handling assessment is used to assess the general safety of all employees before commencing work. This assessment can help evaluate if the workers are knowledgeable, trained, and practices safe lifting techniques. This Manual Handling Assessment also checks if load materials are labeled with their weight and are easy to grasp and carry. Use SafetyCulture to conduct digital assessments and generate comprehensive reports anytime anywhere.

Moving and Handling Risk Assessment

This moving and handling risk assessment is used to evaluate the risks of manual handling practices performed during team operations. Observe the number of workers performing the task and if the weight of the load is properly distributed to each team member. Use SafetyCulture to capture photo references and generate reports even if you’re offline .

Ergonomic Assessment Checklists

Browse this collection of free Ergonomic Assessment Templates converted using SafetyCulture to ensure that the workers and their working environments are maximized for comfort and with the minimal risk of injury. These ergonomic checklists can help assess if your workplace complies with ergonomic safety. You can depend on the SafetyCulture app for your assessments even if your mobile devices are offline.

HSE Risk Assessment Checklist

You can perform your HSE Risk Assessments using this template to help manage the health and safety hazards at your workplace. This checklist covers: identifying observed potential/existing hazards and assessing the risk level and providing control measures. Use SafetyCulture’s Analytics to monitor and review planned control measures and identify the frequently high-risk items to better manage the risks in the workplace.

SafetyCulture Content Team

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Manual handling risk assessment

• by Afnan Tajuddin

Table of Contents

Understanding Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Manual handling risk assessment is a crucial component within the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) domain. It involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks associated with manual handling tasks to prevent workplace injuries. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), manual handling includes any transporting or supporting of a load, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying. With a significant percentage of occupational injuries resulting from improper manual handling, the relevance of effective risk assessment cannot be overstated.

This assessment is not just a tick-box exercise; it serves to foster a culture of safety, ensuring that employees can perform their tasks without the looming threat of injury. The overarching goal is to minimize risks, enhance safety practices, and ultimately protect the workforce. In this article, we will delve into the various hazards associated with manual handling, explore safety precautions, and discuss the regulations that govern this critical aspect of workplace safety.

Identifying Hazards and Risks in Manual Handling

When conducting a manual handling risk assessment, it is imperative to identify potential hazards that could lead to injuries. There are several categories of risks associated with manual handling, including:

Physical Risks

Physical risks primarily involve musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which can arise from lifting heavy objects, repetitive movements, or awkward postures. For instance, a warehouse employee who frequently lifts boxes without proper technique may develop chronic back pain or strain. According to a case study published in the *Journal of Occupational Health*, workers in physically demanding jobs reported a higher incidence of MSDs, highlighting the need for proper risk assessment.

Environmental Risks

Environmental factors play a significant role in manual handling safety. Slippery floors, inadequate lighting, and cluttered workspaces can increase the likelihood of accidents. For example, consider a retail employee tasked with restocking shelves. If the aisles are poorly lit and cluttered, the risk of tripping while carrying a load escalates. Ensuring that the environment is conducive to safe manual handling is essential.

Psychosocial Risks

Psychosocial factors, such as stress and fatigue, can also contribute to manual handling risks. An overworked employee may rush through tasks, neglecting safety protocols. Anecdotal evidence from various industries suggests that employees who felt pressured to meet tight deadlines were more likely to adopt unsafe lifting techniques, leading to injuries.

Best Practices for Manual Handling Safety

After identifying potential hazards, the next step is to implement effective safety precautions. Here are several best practices that organizations can adopt to mitigate risks associated with manual handling:

1. Training and Education

Educating employees about proper manual handling techniques is paramount. Training should encompass the mechanics of lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Interactive workshops that demonstrate safe techniques can significantly reduce the risk of injuries. For instance, a study by the *British Safety Council* found that companies that implemented comprehensive training programs saw a 30% reduction in manual handling injuries within a year.

2. Ergonomic Assessments

Conducting ergonomic assessments can help in designing workspaces that minimize strain on the body. Adjusting the height of work surfaces, using mechanical aids, and ensuring that loads are stored at waist height can significantly reduce the risk of injury. For example, a manufacturing facility that restructured its assembly line to allow workers to perform tasks at eye level reported fewer injuries related to awkward postures.

3. Implementing Mechanical Aids

Where feasible, organizations should invest in mechanical aids such as trolleys, hoists, and forklifts. These tools can alleviate the physical burden on employees, allowing them to transport heavy loads without risking injury. A logistics company that introduced electric pallet jacks noted a marked decrease in back injuries among its staff.

4. Encouraging Reporting and Feedback

Creating a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting unsafe conditions is vital. Regular feedback sessions can help identify ongoing issues and areas for improvement. An employee working in a shipping department might notice that certain loads are consistently too heavy. Encouraging such feedback can lead to better risk management practices.

5. Regular Review and Update of Risk Assessments

Manual handling risk assessments should not be static. Regular reviews and updates are essential to adapt to changes in work processes, equipment, or employee health. A construction site that frequently updates its risk assessments based on project changes experiences fewer accidents compared to those that rely on outdated evaluations.

Regulations and Standards Governing Manual Handling

Understanding the regulatory landscape surrounding manual handling is crucial for compliance and safety. Various laws and guidelines exist to ensure that organizations uphold the highest safety standards.

1. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

In the UK, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling as far as reasonably practicable. If avoidance is not possible, employers must assess the risks and implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of injury.

2. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This overarching legislation places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees at work. It emphasizes the importance of risk assessments in maintaining a safe working environment, which includes manual handling tasks.

3. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations

While primarily focused on hazardous substances, COSHH also encompasses the handling of materials that can pose risks to health, including heavy or awkward loads. Employers must ensure that such materials are handled safely to prevent injuries.

Conclusion: The Importance of Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Manual handling risk assessment is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a critical strategy for safeguarding employees and promoting a culture of safety. By identifying potential hazards, implementing best practices, and adhering to relevant regulations, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of injuries associated with manual handling tasks.

As the landscape of work continues to evolve, the importance of manual handling risk assessments remains constant. Organizations that prioritize these assessments not only protect their workforce but also enhance productivity and morale. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that everyone can perform their duties without the threat of injury, fostering a safer, healthier workplace for all.

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Lumiform / Checklists / How To Conduct A Proper Manual Handling Risk Assessment

How To Conduct A Proper Manual Handling Risk Assessment

What is a Manual Handling Risk Assessment Example?

A manual handling risk assessment is a requirement that all employers must adhere to in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992 . This legislation aims to protect workers who are at risk of injuries caused by manual handlings, such as pushing, pulling, or carrying something . It contains safety measures that are divided into three parts:

• Avoid manual handling as much as possible
• Assess any manual handling activities that are performed in the workplace
• Reduce risks and eliminate any possible injuries and accidents

Manual handling is defined as a task or activity that involves a risk of injury. According to the Health and Safety statistics, around 38.8 million days are lost because of work-related sickness and injuries. Because of this, different types of regulations are set in place not only to protect workers but also to mitigate the financial loss caused by injuries, the most common of which are musculoskeletal. Through the HSE manual handling risk assessment, employers and employees become aware of what controls should be set to reduce risks.

The checklist advises workers to:

• Observe the safe systems in place
• Use the safety equipment provided to them
• Inform management or an officer-in-charge if they identify risks and hazards in their manual handling tasks
• Ensure that they are not putting themselves or their co-workers at risk

Although the manual handling risk assessment checklist doesn’t specify a weight limit, it contains an assessment of tasks that should be done to ensure the health and safety of workers. Hence, for a risk assessment to become truly effective and suitable, it must contain the following elements:

• Consideration of the four risk factors: Task, Individual, Load, and Environment
• People who are at risk
• Control methods that should be put in place to mitigate the risk
• Further actions to be taken and the people who will do it

In this article, the following points are explained:

1. The 4 key areas of manual handling

2. How to identify and fix hazardous manual handling

3. A digital tool for manually handling risk assessments

The 4 key areas of manual handling

Risk assessment in manual handling contains four key areas that can be best remembered using the acronym TILE:

• ENVIRONMENT

1. Key: Task

What tasks are considered strenuous? Does it involve long distances? Does it have a rest and recovery time between tasks?

These are some of the questions or factors you need to consider when assessing the task at hand. Other factors involved in this category include the number of people needed to accomplish the task, the positioning of the load, and unfavorable ergonomic conditions that might harm the person. Some of this ergonomic risk factors include:

• Lifting the load needs repeated manipulation of the bundle at a distance from your trunk
• Lifting the load causes you to bend your trunk repeatedly
• The load is too heavy and large to handle
• Handling the load is above shoulder height
• You need to twist your trunk repeatedly when handling the load
• It requires a long distance to carry the load, and the area is unsafe

2. Key: Individual

Assess the capabilities of the people who will carry out the task. Aside from their abilities, you should also factor in their age, any existing or prior injuries, pre-existing health conditions, the equipment they use for the task, and if they need any special training for the task. Some manual handling activities might require people with a specific height, strength, and flexibility.

3. Key: Load

Assessing the load does not necessarily mean checking how much it weighs. There are several factors why a certain load can be difficult to carry or handle. It could have a varying size or shape. It can be too big for the grasp and could be blocking your view when you’re carrying it. Assess the load thoroughly before you set to work.

4. Key: Environment

The workplace plays a big factor when performing a manual handling risk assessment. If the ground is slippery or the space is contained, it could affect how you handle or carry the load. Even the ventilation and lighting can greatly affect how you perform the task.

How to identify and fix hazardous manual handling

According to Worksafe Victoria, and the HSE manual handling risk assessment, hazardous manual handling consists of:

• Sustained or repeated use of force
• Sustained improper posture
• Repeated over-exertion like lifting heavy loads
• Carrying unstable or unbalanced loads
• Handling people and live animals

Hazardous manual tasks do not just involve lifting heavy objects. Sitting in front of the computer in an improper posture for a long time has adverse effects on your health and body as well. That’s why legislation requires employers to identify these safety risks in the workplace and apply control methods to prevent accidents and injuries from happening.

Here are some important steps how you can identify and fix unsafe manual handling:

1. Consult with your team

When it comes to safety issues in your organization, your team’s insight is vital. After all, they have first-hand experience. That’s why involving your team in the process plays an important role in the success of your risk management program.

2. Look for the hazards

As mentioned throughout this article, hazardous manual handling involves force when pulling, pushing, or lifting something. Find all the tasks and activities that involve hazardous manual handling.

3. Evaluate the risks

Once you identify these hazardous tasks in the key areas, assess each of their risk levels. Aside from force, wrong postures, environmental conditions, duration, and frequency, work-related stress can be an indirect cause of musculoskeletal disorders

4. Use appropriate risk control measures

Risk controls depend on the level of risk of each task. Sometimes, organizations need to use two control measures to ensure a safer environment for workers. Here are the steps to control risks in the workplace:

• Elimination — remove all the tasks or activities that may cause injuries by substituting them with another to mitigate the risks. For example, using a forklift to carry the loads instead of letting people do the job.
• Reduction — lessen the risk by changing or modifying the task, work processes, workplace, and more. For example, changing the equipment or tools to improve the workflow.
• Education — train your workers on the proper handling of loads to reduce the possibility of risks. Also, encourage them to report any hazardous tasks or things no matter how minor they look.

5. Evaluate your risk controls

Evaluating the risk control measures you use will show whether it was effective or needed revision. It will also show you whether they are working properly or you need additional actions.

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A digital tool for manually handling risk assessments

Assessing and mitigating manual handling risks through risk assessments are only part of the occupational safety measures that every employer should take in their company. Keeping employees safe is part of everyday business. With regular inspections and audits in various work areas, companies are building a safety culture from the ground up. Not only does this reduce the risk of incidents and accidents, but it also saves money by avoiding costly downtime.

To better oversee and plan for the multitude of risk assessments and safety inspections, it pays to use a digital tool. Like Lumiform’s powerful and flexible app, a mobile app and desktop software saves you time and money every day through better process optimization, improved team communication about safety issues, and saves you from the inconvenience of dealing with mountains of paper lists.

Lumiform’s digital tool helps you do the following:

• Use expert-tested, ready-made manual handling risk assessment templates from our template library anytime, anywhere, and on any mobile device – even when you’re offline or without an internet connection.
• Photograph manual handling risk factors and annotate the images for better visual reference.
• Assign corrective actions with a priority level and due date for effective recording and tracking of control actions.
• Schedule hazard assessments and other checks through the app and be notified when they are overdue.
• Generate reports automatically after each assessment and store them securely in the cloud, so they can be accessed anytime from anywhere by you and other responsible parties.
• Share digital assessment reports with your team with just a few clicks.

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Max is a Content Writer at Lumiform originally from New York, NY. Before Lumiform, he worked at the fintech company, writing on a range of fintech-related topics. He has experience writing blogs, CRM communication, guides, and landing pages. In addition to a love of content writing, Max is passionate about standup comedy and cooking.

Ensure safety with a manual handling risk assessment template

This manual handling risk assessment template can be used by managers or shift supervisors to help identify the risk for all workers who perform manual handling, lifting, and carrying of loads.

HSE Manual Handling Risk Assessment Template

This HSE manual handling risk assessment template helps you to identify risks when doing manual handling or lifting heavy loads.

Manual Handling Assessment

A manual handling assessment addresses common mistakes when lifting heavy items. Protect your worker’s musculoskeletal health by utilizing this template today.

Your contact for all questions concerning Manual Handling Risk Assessment

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Manual handling risk assessments

How to identify manual handling risks and conduct risk assessments to manage them.

The University expects all heads of departments to identify manual handling and lifting operations likely to involve a risk of injury and ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place where manual handling cannot be avoided.

The following elements are key to achieving this standard: 

• Identify manual handling operations
• Undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments

Many manual handling or lifting operations can be undertaken without any significant risk of injury. Therefore, the first stage to any assessment is to identify those manual handling and lifting operations that are likely to involve such a risk. In order to do this, supervisors should make a general list of activities and then consider whether the [HSE] guidelines can be met. If they can, then it's unlikely that a more detailed assessment will be required.

Use Figure 1 below to make a quick and easy assessment.  Each box contains a guideline weight for lifting and lowering in that zone. The guideline weights are reduced if handling is done with arms extended, or at high or low levels, as that is where injuries are most likely to occur.

Observe the work activity you're assessing and compare it to the diagram. Decide which box or boxes the lifter’s hands pass through when moving the load. Assess the maximum weight being handled. If it's less than the figure given in the box, the operation is within the guidelines. If the lifter’s hands enter more than one box during the operation, use the smallest weight. Use an in-between weight if the hands are close to a boundary between boxes.

The guideline weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both hands and that the operation takes place in reasonable working conditions, with the lifter in a stable body position.

Reduce the guideline weight if the handler twists to the side during the operation. As a rough guide, reduce them by 10% if the handler twists beyond 45°, and by 20% if the handler twists beyond 90°.

Frequent Lifting & Lowering

The guideline weights are for infrequent operations – up to about 30 operations per hour – where the pace of work is not forced, adequate pauses to rest or use different muscles are possible, and the load is not supported by the handler for any length of time. Reduce the weights if the operation is repeated more often.

As a rough guide, reduce the weights by 30% if the operation is repeated once or twice per minute, by 50% if the operation is repeated five-to-eight times a minute, and by 80% where the operation is repeated more than 12 times a minute.

Pushing & Pulling

The task is within the guidelines if the following figures are not exceeded:

The filters should be used as guides. If there is any uncertainty, a full assessment should be completed.  The HSE indicate that an assessment will always be required when:

• lifting or lowering takes place with very large forward reaches, lifting below floor level, or lifting above head height
• the handling is more frequent than one lift every two minutes
• the handling involves torso twisting
• team handling occurs
• the activities are complex
• the load is difficult to grasp or handle
• aspects of the working conditions are not favourable
• the load is not held against the body when carried

If the filters do not indicate a need for a detailed assessment, it is sufficient to record the outcome of this initial assessment within general risk assessments, rather than detailing specific assessments.

In order to be ‘suitable and sufficient’, the manual handling risk assessment must:

• consider the four risk factors: Load, Individual, Task, and Environment
• identify people at risk
• identify what is provided to control the risk
• identify further action and who needs to carry it out

Set a review date, no later than 13 months after the initial assessment.

Where a more detailed assessment is required, record the details of those involved. Ensure those who are in control of the activity are involved in the assessment and wherever possible, consult those who are expected to undertake the activity. If individuals are not trained in the process of risk assessment or the risks are complex, then it will also be appropriate to engage the department’s manual handling risk assessor.

Consider the four different risk factors. This can either be done as a subjective exercise to identify key issues or by using one of the HSE’s assessment tools for a more detailed assessment: 

• MAC tool – lifting, carrying, lowering
• V-MAC tool – where load weights vary
• ART tool – repetitive upper limb tasks
• Push/Pull tool (RAPP) – moving loads by pushing and pulling

Notice: Suitable and Sufficient Risk Assessments

As with all risk assessments the level of detail in the assessment should be proportionate to the risks identified, so as to be ‘suitable and sufficient’

The four risk factors are:

• load (heavy, bulky, unwieldy, unstable, sharp or difficult to grasp)
• individual capability (strength of person, male or female, age, existing health issues)
• task (pushing, pulling or carrying, posture, distance, repetition, number of people)
• environment (space around the operation, type of flooring, temperature, lighting, requirement for bulky PPE)

Once you've identified the hazards and completed the risk analysis, taking into account any existing control measures, identify and record the actions required to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Once you've identified the required actions, outline these in a workable action plan, identifying specific individuals or groups who will need to implement those actions, and the timeframe within which they are to be completed.

Once this has been completed, obtain a signature of approval for the risk assessment. This should be a relevant supervisor (i.e. person with overall control over the activity). This is especially important where risks identified as Medium or High cannot be reduced to Low.

Assign a frequency of review. For those activities where the risk factors can regularly change or where the risks have not been reduced to Low, then this should be annually.

Related Content

• MH-2 Risk Assessment Proforma for Manual Handling Operations
• MH-3 Example of a Manual Handling Risk Assessment
• HSE Manual Handling Pages

Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Refer to SOP HS 021 - Manual Handling Process. Manual Handling should be avoided to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. If it can not be avoided, this assessment should be completed.

Free Manual Handling Risk Assessment Checklist

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Site conducted

Conducted on

Review Date

Prepared by

Summary of the task

Version number

Purpose of new version

• general review (2 years since last review)
• Due to an accident
• Due to change in process
• Risk assessment no longer suitable

Add detailed description of review

Overall (estimation) Risk Rating on Completion of the Manual Handling Risk assessment

What is the likelihood of an incident occurring? (1= rare, 2 = unlikely, 3 = moderate, 4 = likely, 5 = almost certain)

What would be the impact of the incident? (1= insignificant, 2 = minor, 3 = moderate, 4 = significant, 5 = severe)

Experimental Risk number is:

Estimation Risk Rating is:

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is Very Low

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is Low

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is Medium

An action should be raised to reduce the risk rating for this hazard by implementing an improved control measure

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is High

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is Very High

The overall (estimated) risk rating for this manual handling task is Extreme and the task should not be executed before introducing mitigating controls to reduce the risk.

Use the Risk Matrix to determine the risk rating for this hazard

Task and Load

What are the details of the manual handling task being carried

What are the dimensions of the load?

What is the weight of the load?

This MUST NOT be lifted or moved by an induvial unless a mechanical aid is used. For example a pallet truck (continue to Pushing and Pulling Assessment Page)

Depending on the dimensions of the load consider a team lift or using a mechanical aid, such as a pallet truck

Indications that the operation could be high risk

Does the operation have a history of incidents/ accidents?

Is the operation known to be hard or high-risk work?

Do employees doing the work show signs that they are finding it hard (eg breathing heavily, red-faced, sweating)?

During discussions with employees doing the operation indicate that some aspects are difficult?

Lifting Operation

Does this manual handling task include lifting a load?

What is the weight of the individual load?

What is the frequency of the lift(s)?

• 1 Lift Every minute
• 1 Lift Every 15 minutes
• 1 Lift Every 30 minutes
• 1 Lift Every Hour
• 1 Lift twice a day
• 1 Lift once a day
• 1 Lift once a week
• 1 Lift once a month (or more)

What is the hand distance from lower back?

• 1. Close, Upper arms aligned vertically and upright torso
• 2. Moderate, Upper arms angled away from body.
• 3. Moderate, Torso bent forward
• 4. Far, upper arms angled away from body and torso bent forward.

1. Close: Upper arms aligned vertically and upright torso

2. Moderate: Upper arms angled away from body.

3. Moderate: Torso bent forward

4. Far: Upper arms angled away from body and torso bent forward.

What is the vertical lift position?

• 1. Above knee and /or below elbow height.
• 2. Below knee and / or above elbow height.
• 3. Floor level or below or Above head height.

1. Above knee and/or below elbow height.

2. Below knee and/or above elbow height.

3. Floor level or below / Above head height

Is there any torso twisting and/ or sideways bending?

• 1. Little or no torso twisting or sideways bending.
• 2. Torso twisting or sideways bending.
• 3. Torso twisting and sideways bending.

1. Little or no torso twisting or sideways bending

2. Torso twisting or sideways bending

3. Torso twisting and sideways bending

Are there any postural constraints?

• No postural constraints
• Limited space with restricted posture
• Severely limited space and severely restricted posture

What is the load grip?

• Good grip, Item with well designed handles, fit for purpose, Loose parts enabling good grip
• Item with poor handles or handholds, fingers to be clamped at 90 degrees under the item.
• Item with poor design, loose parts, irregular objects, bulky or difficult to handle. Non-regid sacks or unprediccated loads

What is the type of the floor surface?

• Dry/clean floor in good condition
• Dry floor but in poor condition, worn or uneven
• Contaminated/wet or steep sloping floor or unstable surface or unsuitable footwear

Are there environmental factors present? For example, extremes of temperature, strong air movements, extreme lighting

What environmental factors are present?

• Extreme Temperature: Hot
• Extreme Temperature: Cold
• Strong air movements
• Extreme Lighting: Dark
• Extreme Lighting: Bright
• Outdoor: Rain
• Outdoor: Snow
• Outdoor: Strong Sun
• Outdoor: Strong Wind

What other environmental factors are present?

Lifting Risk Rating

L1 - What is the number out of 700 (recorded at the top of this) page?

The risk rating for this lifting task is Low

The overall risk rating for this lifting task is Extreme and the task should not progress until this hazard has been mitigated

The overall risk rating for this lifting task is Medium

The overall risk rating for this lifting task is High

The overall risk rating for this lifting task is Very High

An action should be raised to mitigate and reduce the risk rating of this task

This is an incorrect entry - please check the number out of 700 at the top of this page

Carrying Operation

Does this manual handling task include moving the load from one point to another?

Which location is the task being carried out?

Draw the carrying route on this map

Do not use the stairs to carry loads - please use the passenger lift.

Please describe the route in Notes, upload a carrying plan or video of the route in Media

What is the carrying frequency?

• Carrying an item every 15 minutes
• Carrying an item every 30 minutes
• Carrying an item every hour
• Carrying an item every day
• Carrying an item every week
• Carrying an item once per month (or more)

Close: Upper arms aligned vertically and upright torso.

• Moderate: Upper arms angled away from body.
• Moderate: Torso bent forward.
• Far: Upper arms angled away from body and torso bent forward

Moderate: Upper arms angled away form body.

Moderate: Torso bent forward

Far: upper arms angled away form body and torso bent forward

What is the asymmetrical torso/load?

Load and hands symmetrical in front of item.

• Load and hand asymmetrical, upright body position.
• One handed carrying to the side

Load and hands asymmetrical, upright body position.

One handed carrying to the side.

What is the carrying distance?

What is the floor surface type along the route?

Are there other environmental factors present? For example, extremes of temperature, strong air movements, extreme lighting

Are there any obstacles on route?

What obstacles are on the route?

• Doorways/ gates
• Stairs / steps
• Blind/ sharp corners
• Changes in surface type
• Uneven surfaces

What other obstacles are on the route?

Carrying Risk Rating

C1 - What is the number out of 700 (recorded at the top of this) page?

Pushing/ Pulling Operation

Does this manual handling task include pushing or pulling a load?

Does the load have (or is on) wheels or no wheels?

What type of equipment is being used?

• small with one or two wheels, e.g. sack trolley.
• medium with three or more fixed wheels and/or castors, e.g build jig.
• large, steerable or running on rails, e.g pallet truck, Big Red, terminal stack trolleys.

What is the weight of the load (Low = 0, Medium = 2, High = 4, Very High = 8)?

If the load exceeds the equipment’s rated capacity (manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight), different equipment MUST be used.

What is the standard of posture during the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 3, Poor = 6)?

What is the standard of hand grip during the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 2)?

What is the work pattern of the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 3)?

What is the travel distance of the task (Short = 0, Medium = 1, Long = 3)?

What is the condition of the equipment used in the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 2, Poor = 4)?

What is the standard of the floor surface (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 4)?

Are there obstacles during the route (Good = 0, Reasonable = 2, Poor = 3)?

Are there any other factors to consider?

• the equipment or load is unstable
• the load is large and obstructs the worker’s view of where they are moving
• the equipment or load is sharp, hot or otherwise potentially damaging to touch
• there are poor lighting conditions
• there are extreme hot or cold temperatures or high humidity
• there are gusts of wind or other strong air movements
• personal protective equipment or clothing makes using the equipment more difficult

Please specify other factor that requires consideration

How many additional factors are there to consider (None = 0, One = 1, Two or more = 2)?

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is Very High

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is Very Low

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is Extreme and the task should not progress until this hazard has been mitigated

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is High

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is Medium

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (with wheels) task is Low

What type of technique is being used?

a1 What is the weight of the load (Low = 0, Medium = 2, High = 4, Very High = 8)?

a2 What is the standard of posture during the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 3, Poor = 6)?

a3 What is the standard of hand grip during the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 2)?

a4 What is the work pattern of the task (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 3)?

a5 What is the travel distance of the task (Short = 0, Medium = 1, Long = 3)?

a7 What is the standard of the floor surface (Good = 0, Reasonable = 1, Poor = 4)?

a8 Are there obstacles during the route (Good = 0, Reasonable = 2, Poor = 3)?

a9 How many additional factors are there to consider (None = 0, One = 1, Two or more = 2)?

The overall risk rating for this Pulling/ Pushing (without wheels) task

Have considerations been made to eliminate this manual handling task by using lifting aids, automation etc?

Raise an action to consider opportunities to eliminate this manual handling task

Name and signature of inspector

This document must now be shared with the colleagues who are involved with this manual handling task.

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Manual handling

Manual handling risk assessment.

Information on how to correctly risk assess situations that require manual handling

This information is current, but it is important to consider issues in your workplace that are specific to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and make suitable arrangements to keep your staff safe. For more information and advice on working safely, read our COVID-19 guidance .

Anyone involved in the moving and handling of goods (including moving people) could be at risk of injury. There are risks in handling even light loads if the task is repetitive or is being carried out in poor conditions.

Risks can be found in all work sectors, but healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and construction are recognised as high-risk industries due to the number and nature of the manual handling activities.

Injuries related to manual handling activities are sometimes called musculoskeletal disorders. These include injuries to joints and other tissues in the upper and lower limbs or back.

They account for more than a third of all new and long-standing cases of work-related ill health. To find out more about them, visit our ' Muscles, bones and joints ' section.

Order of controls for manual handling risks

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (external site) requires that employers should follow this order of control measures to deal with manual handling risks.

• In the first instance, try to avoid the need for hazardous manual handling. Decide whether you need to move the item at all or consider alternative ways of working, such as automation (using pallet trucks, trolleys, conveyor belts and so on).
• If you cannot do this, then you need to assess the risks of injury from hazardous manual handling that cannot be avoided. This can be done in-house by finding ways of making the work easier, less risky and less physically demanding.
• Reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable. This means to reduce risks until the cost of further precautions in time, money or trouble would be too great in proportion to the benefits.

Assessing manual handling risks

A manual handling assessment is required when you cannot avoid a manual handling task and there is a risk of injury. It will help you in assessing the elements of the operation and assist in deciding suitable controls.

The assessment looks at the task, individual, load and environment, easily remembered by the acronym TILE . We have an assessment tool to help you do this. Some of the key factors to consider for each element are as follows.

• Task – consider if the activity involves any twisting, stooping, bending, travel, pushing, pulling, sudden movement of the load, team handling or seated work.
• Individual – individuals have varied physical capacity, and this should be considered in your assessment. It is important to look at each individual's physical capability before carrying out a task. Anyone with a known injury or disability should be individually assessed. Special assessments will be required for young workers and those with impaired vision, reduced grip strength, pregnancy or disability.
• Load – consider if the load is heavy, difficult to grasp, sharp, hot or cold or if the contents are likely to move or shift.
• Environment – you need to think about the working environment as this may increase the risk related to the task. Consider floor conditions, variations on floor levels, space constraints, poor lighting or ventilation. Also, hot or cold environments and wind conditions can all have an impact.

It's very important that you consult and involve your employees while risk assessing manual handling tasks, when considering control measures and choosing between ways to reduce risks. It's also key that you use relevant guidance available.

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

• Next page: Manual handling - Controlling manual handling risks

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Manual handling assessment charts (the MAC tool)

The MAC tool was developed to help the user identify high-risk workplace manual handling activities and can be used to assess the risks posed by lifting, carrying and team manual handling activities.

It is designed to help you understand, interpret and categorise the level of risk of the various known risk factors associated with manual handling activities. It incorporates a numerical and a colour-coding score system to highlight high-risk manual handling tasks.

Manual handling

According to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), manual handling is defined as:

'...any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force

The MHOR establish a clear hierarchy of measures for dealing with risks from manual handling:

• avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable;
• assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; and
• reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

A detailed assessment of every manual handling operation could be a major undertaking and might involve wasted effort. Many handling operations, for example the occasional lifting of a small lightweight object, will involve negligible handling risk. To help identify situations where a more detailed risk assessment is necessary, HSE has developed filters to screen out straightforward cases (see Appendix of L23 ).

Using the MAC will help to identify high-risk manual handling activities within the workplace. However, the MAC is not appropriate for all manual handing operations, and may not comprise a full risk assessment. Therefore it is unlikely to be acceptable if relied upon alone. To be 'suitable and sufficient', a risk assessment will normally need to take account of additional information such as individual capabilities, and should conform to the requirements in the MHOR . People with knowledge and experience of the handling operations, industry specific guidance, and specialist advice may also be helpful. Remember to consult and involve employees and safety representatives.

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Guide on manual handling risk assessment in the manufacturing sector

Description

This guide gives direction and practical information to those that work in the manufacturing sector on action that can be taken to manage the potential hazard of manual handling in the workplace.

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Peninsula Group , HR and Health & Safety Experts

Aug 15th 2024 (Last updated Aug 19th 2024 )

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Any form of activity that requires an employee to lift, move, or support a load is classed as a manual handling task.

Jump to section:

When should a manual handling risk assessment be performed?

Who is responsible for conducting a manual handling risk assessment, why do i need a manual handling risk assessment, what should be included in a manual handling risk assessment template, download our free manual handling risk assessment template.

The injuries caused by incorrect manual handling can have huge impacts on both the employer and affected workers.

You can significantly reduce work-related injuries by promoting Health & Safety policies. Like a manual handling risk assessment.

Download our free manual handling risk assessment template for free. And see how you can promote safe working practices in your business. Minimising future workplace accidents and injuries.

Peninsula provides total support on any HR or Health & Safety issue you have. From unlimited advice to our full documentation and risk assessment services , we'll ensure compliance at all times, contact us today.

What is a manual handling risk assessment?

We use a manual handling risk assessment to identify and manage risks during tasks that require human handling and establish the methods for the tasks to be carried out safely.

Employers can then use the assessment to provide reasonably practical training on the working practices to their employees.

Some tasks can be done with machines and don’t need human assistance. However, for tasks that do, it’s vital to use risk assessments and place sensible measures to prevent injuries.

Legislation requires you to do a risk assessment when you cannot avoid using manual handling during work.

These, like most business risk assessments, help you manage work activities and decide on suitable control measures.

It’s good business practice to review all Health & Safety policies and risk assessments:

• After any workplace accident.
• After relevant legislation updates.
• Changes in business processes.

Responsibility normally falls to the employer. They hold overall responsibility for such tasks, as well as other workplace health and safety.

This doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself.

You can appoint responsible Health & Safety officers, who are competent and trained in managing risks.

You are legally responsible for carrying out a manual handling risk assessment within your business. This is part of your duty of care under The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 .

Without one, it can affect workers’ wellbeing , retention, and overall trust in the business. Not to mention direct effects, like compensation fees, tribunal claims , and business disruptions.

• Workers are responsible for:
• Following safe working methods.
• Using equipment safely.
• Co-operating with management on Health & Safety matters.
• Reporting potential safety risks discovered during tasks.
• Taking care not to put themselves or others at risk.

Download our free manual handling risk assessment template today to keep all your employees safe.

Whether you’re carrying boxes in the office or moving loads on a construction site, it’s important to cover all aspects of manual handling.

Having basic principles can help staff move loads as safely as possible. And minimise work-related injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders and other medical issues.

Some manual handling risk assessment factors to consider:

• Introduce mechanical aids
• Minimise moving loads across long distances
• Minimise obstructions in the work area
• Reduce lifting loads from floor level or above shoulder height
• Provide frequent breaks to help muscle recovery
• Assign suitable tasks based on workers’ capability (especially for vulnerable workers like young people, those with health conditions, or pregnant workers).

It’s a legal requirement that your workers are competently trained for tasks involving manual handling. However, if possible, try to consider mechanical aids before introducing training.

Mechanical aids like forklifts, conveyors, hoists, and trolleys can significantly help reduce risks if used correctly. Include them in your risk assessment template and inspect the equipment regularly.

Managing hazardous work tasks can help safeguard all your employees under your care. Which in turn increases business productivity for you, and workforce morale.

Peninsula can supply a manual handling risk assessment example that suits your business. We also offer expert employment Health & Safety advice. And also provide services on risk assessment and safety training.

Peninsula clients also get access to 24/7 HR consultation with our employment specialists. And if you are not yet a client, you can still enjoy free employment health and safety advice from one of our business experts. Simply call us on 0800 158 2313.

Disclaimer: This template is provided ‘as is’ and Peninsula Business Services Ltd excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the template to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Peninsula Business Services Ltd is not liable for any errors or omissions in the template and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. Use of the template is entirely at the risk of the User and should you wish to do so then independent legal advice should be sought before use.

Use of the template will be deemed to constitute acceptance of the above terms.

Got a question? Check whether we’ve already answered it for you…

What are risk assessments?

A risk assessment is an examination of anything in your work that can cause harm to people.

Why are risk assessments important?

Risk assessments are vitally important to ensure the safety of employees and non-employees, such as customers. A risk assessment can help employers to understand what control measures are required throughout their site.

How do you carry out a risk assessment?

There are five stages to carrying out a risk assessment, they are: identify potential hazards, assess who may be harmed, evaluate the risks, record significant findings, and review your risk assessment.

How can Peninsula help with risk assessments?

Peninsula's risk assessment services will provide you with all the advice you need on carrying out risk assessments, ensuring you complete is thoroughly and keep your employees and customers safe.

Can you be taken to an employment tribunal over risk assessments?

Yes if you fail to carry out a risk assessment and an employee is injured, you can be taken to a tribunal. If found guilty, you can be hit with both financial and reputational damages.

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School operations

Manual Handling

• Preparing, planning and ongoing management of hazardous manual handling risk
• Identifying and assessing the risks of hazardous manual handling
• Controlling the risks
• Hazard, incident and near miss reporting

Hazardous manual handling is recognised by the department as an activity that has a high risk of causing injury. Because of this, hazardous manual handling is a mandated risk on the OHS risk register and therefore must be managed by schools.

Manual handling tasks in a school can include, but are not limited to:

• office administration involving data entry and moving boxes for archiving
• carrying many books or classroom equipment
• work on laptops or tablets (refer to the Ergonomics and Workspace policy )
• personal care of students (refer to the Health Care Needs policy )
• moving gym equipment or classroom furniture
• gardening and school maintenance
• teaching in a squatting, kneeling or bent over position
• pushing and pulling wheelchairs or trolleys.

The principal or their delegate must identify potentially hazardous manual handling tasks and activities undertaken in their school, in consultation with school staff who are or are likely to be affected, and health and safety representatives (HSR), where elected. Hazards can be identified through workplace inspections, discussions regarding tasks and staff concerns, reviewing injury records and eduSafe Plus data.

Approaches to assessing manual handling tasks

The risk matrix.

All school staff can use the risk matrix as a guide where needed for a quick assessment of a hazard prior to completing a task. See the ‘Risk matrix’ tab in the OHS risk register template (XLSX) External Link .

The TILE approach

The acronym TILE provides another way of quickly assessing a task before completing it, or before asking others to complete it, to ensure we keep everyone safe in the workplace.

Manual handling tasks can be considered as a combination of 4 components – Task, Individual, Load and Environment. The acronym TILE can be used to understanding how these 4 components interact, to help determine if a manual handling task or activity is hazardous and the level of risk is poses.

Task – what is the job or activity that will be undertaken?

The frequency and duration of a task contributes to the risk a school staff member has of becoming injured. Tasks that continue over a long duration or are repeated over the workday increase the risk of injury. As a general guideline, long duration means the task is done for more than a total of 2 hours over the workday or continuously for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Looking at a single task a person might perform may not provide enough information to assess the risk of injury. The principal or their delegate and relevant school staff need to consider the person’s entire role and the combination of tasks and activities they perform day to day.

When assessing the task, you may consider the following questions:

• What is the task?
• Is there any way the person can avoid doing this task?
• Will they need to stoop, stretch, twist or reach?
• How long will this take? Will they be in the same position for long?
• Does the task involve repetitive or strenuous movements?

Individual – which person or persons will undertake the task?

It is important to consider the individual and their capacity to undertake manual tasks. This information can help to understand their suitability for the task or activity.

When assessing the individual, you may consider the following questions:

• Do they have the physical capacity to undertake the task?
• Is more than one person/s required?
• Is the person familiar with the task?
• Is there any equipment available that can support this task?
• Is training required and has it been undertaken – for example, training in the use of specialised equipment, such as a hoist?
• Do they have any previous or existing injuries that may be exacerbated by the task?
• Is supervision required?
• Are the tasks or combination of tasks they perform regularly taken into account?
• Are there supports or adjustments in other areas of their work?

Load – what characteristics need to be considered?

Consider the load or item that is being moved or interacted with. It is important to understand the load so that appropriate mechanical aids or supports can be investigated, purchased and used. Load is important and consideration for how the load will be moved is paramount.

When assessing the load, consider the following questions:

• Is the load heavy, large or awkward?
• Is the load rigid, unstable or hard to grab?
• Is the load fixed or moving?
• In which direction and for what distance does the load need to be moved?
• Is there repeated exposure to loading or force?

WorkSafe Victoria’s manual handling compliance code External Link does not prescribe weight limits because whether work involves hazardous manual handling does not depend solely on the weight of the load. It also depends on the postures, movements, forces and weight of the load involved in the work and the frequency and duration of the work.

Environment – how will the surrounding areas effect the task?

It is important to consider the environmental factors where the task is being performed. The environment can create complications or additional risk that may need to be accounted for.

When assessing the environment, consider the following questions:

• What is the space that the task will occur in?
• Does the task occur in or between various locations?
• Is the surface condition even and stable?
• Does the task involve vibration (for example, vibration from power tools)?
• Are there any trip hazards?
• Is the temperature and ventilation appropriate?
• Is there enough lighting?

Risk assessment templates

If there is further uncertainty or a lack of understanding about a manual handling task, and the risk is likely to be high or extreme based on the quick assessments above, a more formal risk assessment should be undertaken. The department has provided a manual handling risk assessment template for schools, which uses the TILE approach outlined above to prompt a thorough assessment of a manual handling task. This assessment can be completed by individual staff, the principal or delegate, or together.

Sample risk assessments have been designed as generic guides to assist schools in assessing common manual handling risks including when developing a student support plan.

These include:

• Generic manual handling risk assessment template (DOCX) External Link
• Personal care of students risk assessment template (DOCX) External Link
• Display of artwork risk assessment template (DOCX) External Link
• Stage set-up risk assessment template (DOCX) External Link
• Transporting and storage of large boxes and containers risk assessment template (DOCX) External Link

Where a high or extreme hazardous manual handling task has been identified using the assessment processes above, a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) (DOCX) External Link can be developed and displayed adjacent to where the hazardous manual handling task is to be carried out. Where a SWP is displayed, school staff may be required to be further trained to undertake the task documented in the SWP.

Once hazardous manual handling tasks have been identified and assessed the OHS risk register should be updated accordingly. Please refer to the OHS Risk Planning and Management policy for further information on updating, reviewing and maintaining the OHS risk register.

The OHS Advisory Service and regional OHS support officers can provide tailored advice and assistance with manual handling risk assessments and the development of SWPs.

Reviewed 06 June 2024

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• Manual Handling Risk Assessment Assignment Ireland

Manual Handling Risk Assessment Assignment Example

The manufacturing sector includes a lot of areas where strenuous physical work is performed. Also, it includes lifting and carrying heavy loads across places. Briefly, a person indulged in the lifting load may risk his body and fall prey to musculoskeletal ailments and develop serious casualties. Thus, there is a need for a Manual Handling Risk Assessment.

What are the principle objectives of Manual Handling Risk Assessment?

The principal objectives of Manual Handling Risk Assessment include:

• Make people aware of such hazardous situations at their workplaces .
• Imparting knowledge on how to curb fatal accidents
• Making revised plans and providing better workstations to the employees
• Explaining the process through live examples or case studies.
• Employees should be able to foresee the potential risk causing factors.

What is the need for Assessing the Manual handling Risk?

Furthermore, there is a large risk involved in manufacturing sector activities. Also, these tasks include pushing, pulling, loading, and unloading activities repeatedly. Hence, this rigorous repetition results in the creation of hazards.

Thus, the need for devising an action plan to minimise the risks that come with manual handling.

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Manual Handling Risk Assessment Process

For different case studies, the checklist of manual handling risk assessment is different. Now, let us discuss the general outlook of the checklist

• having a clear understanding of the task
• Noting down the  specifications like the size of the load, weight height, the posture that are present in transfer activity
• Also, what are the risk factors
• provision of machinery and other tools that can help in covering the risk factors?
• In the end, Validation of the improvement is done.

Manual Handling Risk Assessment: Checklist

Here, we will discuss the checklist for preventing manual handling risks.

Activities are to be answered by a yes/no:

• Are the loads too heavy?    Y/N
• Is rest time given to workers enough? Y/N
• The number of people doing one task sufficient? Y/N
• Is the workplace too small? Y/N
• How many times the same task needs to be performed? Y/N
• Do the activities affect the posture of the workers? Y/N

Manual Handling Risk Assessment: Tools Required

Specifically, the tools and machinery used in manual handling are varied. Therefore, some of the tools that are used are as follows:

• Vacuum hoist
• Conveyor Belt
• Pallet Truck
• Trolley with shelf

If you are enrolled in the  Manual Handling Risk courses, then, you may be asked to write case studies or provide data and worksheets in your college. For this, you can contact our experts, as, we provide the top-notch variety of assignments and, that too, on all types of courses.

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What are the other risks involved in Manual handling?

Additionally, the risk in manual handling techniques can be regarding the load, workplace setup, tools, safety, amount of physical activity involved etc. Now, in detail, whether the load is too heavy, having exposed sharp edges, the truck and the godown are at a large distance, the necessary tools for safety and the tools for shifting the load are working properly or not?

Case Study Sample for Manual Handling Risk Assessment Now, in this paragraph, we will be undergoing a case study. Let us suppose that an employee has been asked to lift and put heavy loads worth 20 kg on racks. He has to do it manually. Then, in this case, our case study must include the following details: Description of Task: The boxes that weight 20 kg each are present on the ground and the worker has to keep them on the shelf one by one. Technical Details: The boxes are present on the ground and are to be kept on the shelf. The height of the shelf is more than the shoulder height of the worker. Boxes are 20 kg each, that are heavy to lift. Risks Involved: The boxes are heavy to lift. The worker has to drag them first and then lift them multiple times. Improvements Required: The boxes should be kept at waist height. Boxes should be kept on trolleys.

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Conclusion:

To summarize, the manual handling risk assessment is a very crucial process. It aims at saving the workers from different hazards at the workplaces. Also, if you are interested in the  Manual Handling Risk courses, then, for assignments you can contact our Ireland assignment help , professional writers. We provide assignments on manual handling risk and can also help in proofreading .

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