Manual Handling for Employers

The safe design of plant, substances, buildings and structures plays a critical role in reducing the risks associated with manual handling in workplaces.

You must ensure that your products are safe as far as reasonably practicable.

Manufacturers and suppliers must also provide information on the safe use and maintenance of their product when giving or supplying the product to someone else.

All employers have a legal obligation to keep their workplace safe.

In respect of manual handling identification of any tasks that involve hazardous manual handling is required. If any tasks pose a risk to your workforce you must eliminate the risk.

If it's not reasonably practicable to do so, you must reduce the risk in a variety of ways. They include but are not limited to the following :

• changing the workplace layout • alter the workplace environment • alter the systems of work • changing the objects used in the tasks • communicate the risk and the safest way of conducting the relevant tasks • Use mechanical aids.

If it is not reasonably practicable to reduce the risk, you may control that risk by providing information, training or instruction to your workers & allow key staff members to attend relevant training where applicable.

Remember -You must always review and continue to update risk controls when things alter as required by law.