Guidance on manual handling at work

As an employer or business owner, you have a legal duty to provide a safe workplace. Part of this obligation is knowing the correct manual handling techniques and procedures that are essential to protecting you and your staff from injuries in the workplace. 

These will vary according to the nature of your business and your workplace. However, there are some general safe manual handling guidelines applicable to every workplace when it comes to moving a load that should always be followed. 

Step 1: Avoid the need for manual handling

Is there an alternative to lifting the load through bodily force? Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers have a duty to avoid manual handling tasks ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’.

Step 2: Plan the task carefully to identify any hazard

Employers are responsible for carrying out risk assessments for manual handling tasks. The Health and Safety Executive recommends doing a TILE assessment which includes considering the Task, Individual lifting, the Load and the Environment that it will be lifted. After completing a risk assessment, employers must take steps to reduce any risks. 

Step 3: Provide lifting aids or equipment

Don’t allow workers to rely on their own strength. There are plenty of mechanical lifting aid options available.   

Step 4: Reduce workloads and allow regular breaks

Always split loads into smaller ones and allow staff to take proper rest breaks or provide alternative tasks during the working day.

Step 5: Adapt the workplace

Consider reducing the distance workers are carrying loads over, especially the need to carry heavy items between floors

Step 6: Safe manual handling at work processes & training

Ensure you have provided all staff with adequate training to protect them from hazardous manual handling. 

You can read more about manual handling in our downloadable guide. 

What occupations use service & goods lifts for manual handling?

Most occupations involve manual handling. In some cases, employees need to use lifting equipment to lift and handle different loads and items safely. If handled incorrectly, they can result in musculoskeletal disorders. Employers are legally obliged to provide staff with an understanding of the risks they face and what they can do to reduce the risk themselves. 

Service and goods lifts that help with manual handling are often found in workplaces such as:

• Hospitals and care homes
• Warehouses and factories
• High Street shops, including supermarkets
• Pubs and restaurants
• Garden centres and nurseries

Some manual handling examples

John in the cafe

John is a busser in a busy restaurant in London.  He plays a vital role in clearing a guest’s table and sending the plates, utensils and glasses to the dishwasher in the kitchen in the basement after the customer leaves. He relies on a dumbwaiter to discreetly make his task safer and more efficient. 

Lisa in the stockroom

Lisa works in a busy toy shop on her local High Street.  She plays a vital role in replenishing the shop floor as items are sold. As the stockroom is based on the upper level she makes use of a trolleylift, to move stock safely.  This makes the task less backbreaking and time-consuming.  

Do you think you could improve manual handling in your workplace by introducing a service or goods lift? Feel free to browse through our guide to choosing a service & goods lift or contact our team. 

We’re always happy to help different businesses manage the risk of injury from manual handling by introducing a lift to their workplace. 

For more information on Guidance on manual handling at work talk to Stannah Lifts