Employers have a duty to their employees to create a safe working environment. One of the key aspects of workplace safety is conducting thorough manual handling risk assessments.
These assessments are essential to identify any potential hazards and employers are required to ensure that they have implemented measures to prevent injuries to employees.
Understanding manual handling risks
Manual handling tasks which include, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling heavy loads, are common across many industries. If tasks are not carried out in the correct way, this could lead to musculoskeletal disorders, strains, and other injuries that could otherwise be avoided through proper risk management.
Employers are legally required under The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 to ensure safe manual handling practices.
Employers’ obligations
Employers are required by law to assess the risks associated with manual handling activities. This includes:-
- Conducting risk assessments for all manual handling tasks, particularly those requiring significant physical effort or repetitive actions.
- Ensuring any risks are minimised Minimise the risks by introducing practical solutions such as adjusting the work environment, using lifting aids, or redesigning tasks to reduce strain.
- Considering the capabilities of each employee when assigning manual handling duties.
Providing appropriate training and support to employees
A commitment to workplace safety extends beyond risk assessments. Employers should ensure that they provide employees with the necessary equipment and training to perform manual handling tasks safely. Employers should also regularly review and update workplace safety policies to make sure any new risks are identified and highlighted.
Addressing any potential workplace hazards
Employers should also evaluate wider workplace environment for any hazards. This could include inadequate lighting which could obscure obstacles, cluttered walkways that could lead to trips or falls and inadequate flooring which could also contribute to slips or falls causing injury.
To create a safe working environment, employers should demonstrate a commitment to health and safety by providing accessibility to tools, training and support systems for all employees. Each employee should be evaluated individually as not everyone is the same. Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards and suggesting improvements to make the workplace a safe place to be.
If you have suffered an injury in the workplace that wasn’t your fault, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible to discuss any potential claim.
To discuss your case with a member of our dedicated team, call us today on 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you right away.
