Manual handling includes the lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and any other movement of a load by physical force. Tasks may involve bending and twisting, repetitive motions, carrying or lifting heavy loads, and maintaining fixed positions for a long time. As with other risks in the workplace, the first rule is to look at a way to avoid the need for manual handling in the first instance.

If done correctly manual handling should not present a risk of injury to those individuals carrying out the activity, but when done incorrectly it can contribute to musculo-skeletal problems such as back or knee injuries: manual handling injuries account for more than a third of all accidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) each year.

Risk Assessment

General Risk Assessments of work activities should identify where manual handling is required and where it presents a risk of injury. Researchers, line managers and supervisers responsible for carrying out risk assessments should consider manual handling risk as part of all of their general risk assessment process.

Specific Manual Handling Risk Assessments

Use the Manual Handling Decision TreeLink opens in a new window when, as part of the General Risk Assessment process, manual handling has been identified as a potential risk an initial manual handling risk assessment must be carried out by the relevant researcher, line manager or superviser. Where indicated, then use the University's Manual Handling Initial Assessment toolLink opens in a new window which will help you to develop controls to remove, or reduce the risk.

Should the results of such an initial assessment show that the risk is potentially significant then a detailed Manual Handling Risk Assessment must be carried out. This assessment should only be carried out by trained manual handling assessors: for more information please contact the Health and Safety DepartmentLink opens in a new window.

Useful Links

Manual Handling PolicyLink opens in a new window

Risk AssessmentLink opens in a new window

Manual Handling Decision TreeLink opens in a new window

Manual Handling Initial AssessmentLink opens in a new window

Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Manual Handling Awareness Training slidesLink opens in a new window 

Train the Trainer course informationLink opens in a new window

List of attendees of have completed Manual Handling Train the Trainer courseLink opens in a new window

Further Information

HSE's Manual Handling PageLink opens in a new window

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