Manual Handling

Manual Handling
Over one third of reportable injuries in the UK are caused by manual handling. Manual Handling
can also be a contributory factor in slip/trip, fall from height and other accident types. Uncontrolled
manual handling can lead to a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), including back
pain and work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) ranging in symptoms & severity. Injury and
ill-health can arise due to over-exertion, cumulative damage and acute accidental injury. MSD are
a major cause of accidents and ill health and remain a significant cause of civil claims. The HSC
have targeted MSD as a priority programme.
MINIMUM STANDARDS
1. Risks from manual handling activities are identified and assessed (i.e. risk assessment).
2. A hierarchical and ‘risk based’ approach is adopted to avoid and reduce the risks from manual
handling activities.
3. Manual handling training needs are assessed, addressed, and incorporated as part of a
documented safe system of work. This will include training in the use of handling aids and
equipment provided for high risk tasks.
4. Employees and safety representatives are consulted and participate in the risk assessment
process, selection of controls and subsequent reviews.
5. Systems are in place for the early reporting and investigation of injuries related to suspected
causative work activities.
6. Facilities exist, normally via an occupational health provider and nominated case manager, to
manage employees appropriately and safely when returning to work.
BEST PRACTISE
• A selection of measurable indicators is used to quantify the impact of manual handling related
exposure accurately and to build a business case for action.
• A risk based action plan is developed to focus on key areas of exposure, including:-
o Analysis of accident & claims data to determine causation & location trends.
o Analysis of absence data to identify whether MSD absence is work related, determine root
cause, and measure severity.
• Manual handling concerns are incorporated within a structured approach to identifying MSD
risk factors e.g. using HSE’s risk assessment filter.
• Work systems are engineered to avoid the need for manual handling or to reduce risk. This
requires involvement at capex project & process modification stage.
• Work systems are assessed using ergonomic principles, either in house or by third party
specialists. Interventions are systematically applied to work systems/employees.
• Manual Handling training is task specific and part of, or in accordance with, a documented
safe system of working. Correct application of training is validated at suitable intervals.
• A system is in place which takes into account employees fitness, health and capability when
matching them to the tasks they are asked to perform e.g. functional capacity evaluation
(FCE) via an occupational health provider.
• Case management & rehabilitation procedures are applied following any accident.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The Manual Handling Operations Regs 1992 are the main, but not exclusive, provision requiring
employers to avoid the need for employees to undertake manual handling operations. Where this
is not practical or possible, then employers are required to carry out a risk assessment taking into
account the load, individual, task and environment, and introduce controls as to minimise the risk
as far as is reasonably practicable.
GUIDANCE & USEFUL INFORMATION
• HSE Website: MSD / Manual Handling Pages: www.hse.gov.uk/msd/

• QBE Issues Forum: Musculoskeletal Disorders (November 2005)
• QBE Issues Forum: Rehabilitation and Active Case Management for MSD (May 2007)
For further information contact [email protected]

Dear reader
Thank you for taking the trouble to read this publication.
QBE Risk Management believe that best practice organisations are those where senior individuals
facilitate and engage in the processes of sensible risk management. We make this document available to
all interest parties in an effort to share knowledge and promote good practise.
Our services are available only to clients insured by QBE in Europe. Our insurance products are sold
through insurance brokers. We cannot offer advisory services to anyone else, however we would be
delighted to hear if you have found this document useful or believe there are risk management issues that
do not receive appropriate attention in the media.
Regards
QBE Risk Management Team
email: [email protected]
www.QBEeurope.com/RM
Disclaimer
This document has been produced by QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (“QIEL”). QIEL is a company member of the
QBE Insurance Group.
Readership of this Forum does not create an insurer-client, advisor-client, or other business or legal relationship.
This Forum provides information about the law to help you understand and manage risk within your organisation.
Legal information is not the same as legal advice.
This Forum does not purport to provide a definitive statement of the law and is not intended to replace, nor may it be
relied upon as a substitute for specific legal or other professional advice.
QIEL has acted in good faith to provide an accurate Forum. However, QIEL and the QBE Group do not make any
warranties or representations of any kind about the contents of this Forum, the accuracy or timeliness of its contents,
or the information or explanations (if any) given.
QIEL and the QBE Group do not have any duty to you, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise with
respect to or in connection with this Forum or the information contained within it. QIEL and the QBE Group have no
obligation to update this report or any information contained within it.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, QIEL and the QBE Group disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss or
damage suffered or cost incurred by you or by any other person arising out of or in connection with your or any other
person’s reliance on this Report or on the information contained within it and for any omissions or inaccuracies.
QBE European Operations

Plantation Place
30 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 3BD
tel +44 (0)20 7105 4000
fax +44 (0)20 7105 4019
QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited, no.01761561 ('QIEL'), QBE Underwriting Limited, no. 01035198 ('QUL'), QBE Management Services (UK)
Limited, no. 03153567 ('QMSUK') and QBE Underwriting Services (UK) Limited, no. 02262145 ('QSUK'), whose registered offices are at Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M
3BD. All four companies are incorporated in England and Wales. QIEL and QUL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. QUL is a Lloyd's managing agent. QMSUK
and QSUK are both Appointed Representatives of QIEL and QUL.

Manual Handling - QBE Standards-4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Manual Handling - QBE Standards-4

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Manual Handling - QBE Standards-4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GUIDANCE & USEFUL INFORMATION

• HSE Website: MSD / Manual Handling Pages: www.hse.gov.uk/msd/

For further information contact [email protected]

QBE European Operations

You might also like