Manual handling operations 1992
The health and safety at work act (HASAWA 1974) manual handling operations regulations (MHAREGS 1992)
This covers assessment of manual handling operations and control to prevent injury
The manual handling operations regulations place responsibilities on the employer for:
A) Avoidance of manual handling.
B) Assessment of risks.
C) Reduction of risks.
D) Provision of information on the load
E) Review of risk assessment
Employee responsibilities
A) safeguarding your self and others
B) cooperation with employer
C) use equipment appropriately
The main responsibility of the employee is to make use of safe systems of work provided by the employer, it is vital managers and senior staff carry out risk assessments which include possible manual handling task, consideration should be given to 4 factors:
1) individuals capability- knowledge, training, select staff for task
2) Load – make it lighter if possible.
3) Working environment – remove space constrictions, reduce work at different levels.
4) Task – training in manual handling, improve task layout.
Staff need to be made aware of the risk assessments so they can be acted upon, it is important that settings develop written procedures and identify risks for manual handling, to avoid staff injuries and time off for sickness thus affecting the whole setting. It is advisable to avoid manual handling where ever possible and only manual handle if there is no other option.
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