Better backs 2005!
June 1st 2005

Manual handling is the main cause of back injury in the workplace. What steps can be taken to reduce injuries? Back pain is the UK’s most common form of workrelated illness. There are over one million sufferers who on average take 19 days off work per year. This has a serious impact on the economy accounting for 4.9 million lost working days and costing British industry billions. All businesses can be affected but for small businesses the consequences can be particularly ‘crippling’. It is, therefore, essential for businesses and their employees to address the root of the problem. In the case of back pain, this primarily lies with manual handling, which accounts for more than a third of all over-three-day injuries reported each year to the HSE.

Manual handling doesn’t simply mean lifting. It relates to any activity involving transporting or supporting with the use of hands or bodily force. This may include lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving. It isn’t restricted to occupation either as manual-handling injuries can occur wherever people work, whether that is on a farm, building site, in factories, offices, hospitals or while making deliveries.

Currently, manual handling is the cause of 14% of all major workplace injuries. This needs to be reduced.

Many injuries from manual handling can be avoided and preventative measures are cost effective and have positive consequences for both employers and employees. For employers, minimising manual handling risks will help them maintain production, the quality of their products and keep insurance costs to a minimum.

Conversely, the consequences of not having proper measures in place can impact on employers with retraining, wage and civil-liability costs as well as damage corporate reputation. For employees, manual handling aids can help avoid injury, pain, suffering and stress, and prevent the loss or reduction in earnings. It is also important to remember, injury can seriously hinder an employee’s job prospects, and their overall enjoyment of leisure activities and their social lives.

What can businesses do to ensure safe manual handling in their work place? The regulations set out three key requirements for employers with regard to manual handling.

Avoid manual handling, unless absolutely necessary This should involve carefully assessing whether the object needs to be moved at all or whether another route, such as lifting aids, could be taken. Assess risks from manual handling All businesses should assess the potential risks in the workplace. There is no ‘perfect’ template for assessing risks but the HSE has developed the Manual Handling Chart (MAC) as a tool to help businesses identify common risk factors in lifting, carrying and team handling operations. MAC includes assessment of: Tasks involved; Load; Individual capacity; Working environment; Handling aids and equipment; Work organisation. In addition to this, the workforce should always be consulted and involved, as they will know first hand what the main risks are and suggest ways in which they can be controlled. These risk assessments should be recorded for future reference.

Reduce manual-handling risks The risk should be reduced to the lowest level that is “reasonably practicable” which means reducing it until the cost of any further precautions – time, effort or money – would be far too great in proportion to the benefits. It is important to consult with employees, as they will be able to advise on practical solutions to controlling risks.

Training should also be provided to raise employee awareness of the risks of manual handling in the work place. It should, however, be treated as complimentary to a safe system of work and not be in place of it. If new handling aids are introduced, their risks should also be assessed with employees trained in their proper use and on how to maintain the equipment.

What can employees do to prevent manualhandling injuries? The responsibility for manual handling does not, however, remain solely with the employer. Employees need to be educated about their role in protecting their backs which includes: Following appropriate systems of work laid down for safety; Making proper use of equipment provided for safety; Co-operating with their employer on health and safety matters and taking part in all training provided; Informing their employer if they identify potentially hazardous handling activities; Taking care to ensure that activities do not put other employees at risk; Advising their employer of back pain caused at work They also need to understand why it is important to follow these guidelines and present a good moral and emotional case for action. A clear message should be conveyed which is “If handling or lifting aids are made available for a task they are there for a reason – to protect employees’ backs – and therefore should be used.”In some cases manual handling will be the only option, but by ensuring employees have and are clear about guidelines in place, risks of injury can be greatly reduced.

A step-by-step guide to manual handling

• Question the need for manual handling: Always ask the question – is manual handling the only option? Look for alternatives to manual handling.
• Think before lifting / handling: Plan the lift – assess what handling or lifting aids can be used, whether help will be needed, where the object is going to be placed and check for obstructions along the route.
• Keep the load close to the waist: Keep the load as close to the body for as long as possible, while lifting with the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.
• Adopt a stable position: The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear.
• Get a good hold: Where possible the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body.
• Start in a good posture: At the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to stooping or squatting.
• Don’t flex the back any further while lifting: This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.
• Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways: Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
• Keep the head up when handling: Look ahead, not down, at the load, once it has been held securely.
• Move smoothly: The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.
• Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed: There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safety lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.
• Put down, then adjust: If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
• If a handling aid is being used, ensure the risks are assessed and take into account the following guidelines: Handling devices: Aids should be suitable for the task and have handle heights between the shoulder and waist. All devices should be well maintained and employees should be trained to use and maintain them.

  Force: As a rough guide, the amount of force that needs to be applied to move a load over a flat surface should be at least 2% of the load weight. The force will be larger if the conditions are not perfect. The operator should try to push rather than pull when moving a load.

  Slopes: Employees should seek assistance from another worker if they have to negotiate a slope or ramp as this can increase ‘safe load’ guidelines.

  Uneven surfaces: Moving an object over a soft or uneven surface requires a higher force which may mean the load needs to be lightened.

  Stance and pace: To make it easier to push or pull, employees should keep their feet well away from the load and go no faster than walking speed.

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