Employers have a duty of care to ensure that their staff are safe at work. Therefore, employers must have proper systems to ensure staff members’ safety, including those who need to lift or carry heavy items.
Without the correct policies and training in place, there’s a real risk of injuries, which in some cases may be severe enough to prevent an individual from returning to work. This is not to mention that according to ClaimsAction.co.uk, if there is negligence by a third party, such as the employer, then an injury compensation claim can be made.
What types of injuries do manual handling activities cause?
Manual handling is responsible for many injuries in the workplace. This includes strains, sprains and soft tissue injuries like bruising. The risks to your employee’s health caused by these incidents may include:
- Back pain – neck pain – shoulder pain
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Joint pain
- Wrist tendinitis
Manual handling also has the potential to cause more serious injuries such as:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Slips and trips – The UK Health and Safety Executive reported that 35 fatal injuries were caused by a fall from height during 2020/21
- Loss of fingers and hands – bruises, cuts and abrasions.
What is Classed as Manual Handling?
Manual handling is defined as the movement of people, objects or materials by hand. Examples of manual handling activities include moving bags of shopping upstairs, carrying trays of drinks, or lifting patients in and out of bed. So even jobs that you may not associate with lifting may involve elements of manual handling.
The Importance of Manual Handling Awareness
1.) Reduce the number of days lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). According to a report in the UK, over 5.7million working days were lost in the UK over a period of twelve months due to WMSDs.
2.) Reduce costs/ lower insurance claims.
3.) A positive health and safety culture enhances staff morale and engagement.
4.) Eliminate the risk of accidents; we all know someone who has been injured while at work.
5.) Increase productivity and efficiency.
The Impact of not Having Workplace Manual Handling Policies
If you leave WMSD-related injuries untreated, then there may be a hidden cost to your business or organisation that is greater than the cost of preventative measures such as manual handling training for staff.
The consequences can include early retirement, absence from work, legal action against employers and their insurers, loss of product sales and patient care resulting in poor customer satisfaction leading to losing customers and even higher rates of staff turnover to low morale.
Top Tips for Manual Handling
1.) Provide training and awareness sessions for employees on the correct way to lift heavy objects, put up shelves or move boxes etc. You can do this with posters, leaflets or one-day training sessions. Ensure staff members know the risks of manual handling injuries and how they can be prevented using safe working methods.
2.) Don’t rely on employees to advise you that they have a musculoskeletal disorder (WMSDs); it is their responsibility but ask them if they need help in moving/lifting loads (and provide this help).
3.) Provide proper equipment, such as hoists, wheeled sack trucks, trolleys etc., to move heavy objects.
4.) Seek advice from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), who offer free advice. The website will help you identify risks in your workplace and, if necessary, provide training or suggest simple engineering solutions to keep employees safe. It may also be possible to get financial assistance for safety measures
5.) Encourage good posture when doing physical tasks – make sure staff members are not resting any weight on their wrists but have their hands in a ‘power position.’
6.) Wet/dusty areas should be cordoned off or covered by warning signs where possible.
7.) Unstable surfaces should be avoided, especially when carrying liquids.
8.) Employees should have frequent breaks from heavy lifting to reduce the risk of injury.
9.) Weight limits should be set on trolleys/sacks etc., so that they are not overloaded.
10.) Equipment should be regularly checked for any damage or broken parts.
11.) Pregnant employees should be given light duties where possible to avoid manual handling.
12.) Finally, don’t take it for granted that employees know how to lift correctly – show them.
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