Frequently Asked Questions – Manual Handling 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992 define 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”.

The load may be an object, person or animal.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) require employers to manage the risks to their employees by:

• Avoiding  hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Making a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk of injury from a hazardous manual handling task that cannot be avoided.
• Reducing the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably practicable by using a mechanical aid (i.e. a sack trolley or hoist). Where this is not reasonably practicable then explore changes to the task, the load and the working environment.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) require employers to manage the risks to their employees. Training employees in safe lifting and handling techniques is part of this requirement.

Manual handling injuries caused by handling and lifting are usually musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Musculoskeletal disorders’cover any injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper/lower limbs or the back. MSDs make up over a third of all work-related injuries and illnessess.

MSD stands for musculoskeletal disorder; the most common injury associated with manual handling tasks.

The acronym TILE stands for:

Task
Individual
Load
Environment

It is used to assess the risk before carrying out a manual handling task.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992. These define 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”.

The regulations set out the steps that should be taken before carrying out a manual handling task:

1. Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks where possible.
2. Assess the task if it cannot be avoided.
3. Reduce the risk of injury as far as is reasonably practicable.

A good course will cover:

• manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur
• how to carry out safe manual handling, including good handling technique
• appropriate systems of work for the individual’s tasks and environment; use of mechanical aids
• practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainee is not doing safely

Our manual handling courses are highly  interactive and practical. On completion of the training, delegates will know how to lift and move heavy or large objects safely thus avoiding injury. Delegates will also be taught how to carry out a risk assessment of a manual handling task.