Manual Handling Operations Regulations apply to a wide range of manual handling activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. The load may be either inanimate such as a trolley or a box, or a person or an animal. Manual handling risk assessment is one of the most common forms of health and safety training in the workplace. It is basic yet essential health and safety which everyone needs to be aware of and trained appropriately. Manual Handling Control Measures Here are a few control measures which are stated in the regulations. Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable. An example of this is to try redesigning the task to avoid moving the object or load or by automating or the task. Make an appropriate assessment of all hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided. You should provide mechanical assistance, for example a hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicable, look at ways of changing the task, the load and working environment. Regular Lifting Of Objects Frequent and heavy lifting and handling can cause back injuries. Using lifting and handling aids can remove or reduce the risk of gaining an injury and can keep workers healthy and at work. Individuals and company employees may argue that their role in the workplace does not include lifting heavy objects or people, this is a fair comment however manual handling is not just about lifting heavy objects or people, there are principles involved such as bending you knees instead of your back when lifting. Manual handling risk assessment is about techniques and assessing the risks involved. If an object is not heavy yet it is large and difficult such as a three piece suite, it is likely to require more than one person to lift it, this in itself will considerably reduce the risk of causing an unnecessary injury. If you have ever seen an individual pick up a three piece suite without the assistance of a second person, you will probably agree that it does not look safe or comfortable for that matter and is more likely to cause an accident than if he or she had the support of a second person. There are numerous factors to take into account when handling objects including distance of travel, how far does the object need carrying, does the object contain liquid or powder, are there any objects in the way which you or your colleague may trip over if it's not moved prior to lifting. Believe it or not, it is possible to injure yourself, especially your back, by lifting the smallest of objects. Although this type of injury may be considered by most as extremely unlikely, employers are required to take necessary precautions to ensure that employees are aware they can happen. The employer has an obligation to educate the employee as far as reasonably practicable in order to prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring. Jobfit - Manual handling risk assessment PO Box 519, Patterson Lakes, VIC 3197 Phone 0359770222 Mobile 0414873401 http://www.jobfit.net.au/manual-handling-risk-assessments/