Definition of Manual Handling:

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992 (as amended) define manual handling as:

“…any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force“.

The load can be an object, person or animal

Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work. It causes work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which account for over a third of all workplace injuries.

The MHOR establish a clear hierarchy of measures for dealing with risks from manual handling:

First: Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable;

Second: Assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; and

Third: Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

The MHOR Requires employees to:

• obey reasonable & lawful instruction
• act with reasonable care & skill
• use professional judgement to decide if a move is safe
• report concerns to the appropriate person or authority.