A risk assessment is a structured way of looking at manual handling operations. It helps in identifying which parts of the operations have the potential to cause harm, and therefore which areas should be targeted when applying practical solutions to reduce the risks.

Hazard is defined as: Anything with the potential to cause harm e.g. a faulty electrical item, a heavy unstable load, an electrical appliance with a lead running across the room.

Harm is defined as: Damage, injury, hurt or impairment

Risk is defined as: The chance that harm will occur.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) also state that an ergonomic approach must be used when looking at manual handling problems. This approach looks at manual handling as a whole and takes into account a range of relevant factors including the nature of the:-

TASK

INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY

LOAD

ENVIRONMENT

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (updated 1998) – see Legislation pages for further information.

Risk = Likelihood of harm occurring x the severity of the harm should it occur

Initial Risk Rating Index / Risk Matrix

This risk assessment rating is based on the All Wales NHS / Local Government Manual Handing Training Passport and Information Scheme. The risk associated with each task is assessed against the likelihood of an incident occurring and should it happen, the severity of the consequences:

Likelihood: Taking into account the controls in place and their adequacy, how likely is it that such an incident could occur? Apply a score according to the following scale:

Risk = Likelihood of harm occurring x the severity of the harm should it occur

Severity: Taking into account the controls in place and their adequacy, how severe would the consequences be of such an incident? Apply a score according to the following scale.

Risk score/action to be taken = likelihood x severity:

Assessment of risk score:

Numerical Guidelines

Numerical guidance (below) given in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) 1998, indicates the weight at which lifting is likely to be considered injurious and at which a risk assessment needs to be carried out. The MHOR state “application of the guidelines will provide a reasonable level of protection to around 95% of working men and women. However, they are not safe weight limits for lifting. There is no threshold below which manual handling operations may be regarded as ‘safe’. Even operations that lie within the guideline figures should be avoided or made less demanding wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. On the other hand, the figures can be exceeded where a more detailed assessment has shown that it is appropriate to do so”.

Each box in the diagram contains a guideline weight for lifting and lowering in that zone. The diagram shows the horizontal positions of the hands as they move the load. You can see that the guideline weights are reduced if the handling is done with the arms extended or are at high or low levels, as that is where injuries are most likely. When handling a load, it is necessary to decide on which box the handler’s hands pass through when moving the load. Then assess the weight being handled. If it is less than the figure given in the box, then the operation is within the guidelines. If more then there is a forseeable risk of injury and further risk assessment needs to be carried out.

If the handler’s hands enter more than one box during the operation then the smallest weight figure applies.

These guideline figures assume:
The load is easy to grasp with both hands
The operation takes place in reasonable work conditions and
The handler is in a stable body position

Frequent Lifting and Lowering

The above guidelines are for lifting and lowering in fairly infrequent occasions i.e. up to 30 operations per hour or one lift every 2 minutes. The guideline figures will have to be reduced if the operation is reduced more often. Approximate guidance is given:

Twisting

The combination of twisting the spine when lifting and stooping is particularly stressful to the back and a detailed risk assessment should really be undertaken. If however the task is relatively infrequent (up to 30 operations per hour or one lift every two minutes and there are no other postural difficulties the following guidance is given:

Pushing and Pulling

For pushing and pulling tasks (whether the load is slid, rolled, or on wheels) the guideline figures assumes that the force is applied with the hands between knuckle and shoulder height. It is also assumed that the distance is not further than about 20 metres. If this is not the case then a more detailed risk assessment is indicated:

Guidelines for Handling while seated

The basic guidelines for handling whilst seated are:

The Risk Assessment Format

The Approved Code of Practice (Schedule 1 to the Regulations), which accompanies the Manual Handling Regulations states that a risk assessment should involve identifying the hazards present in any undertaking and then evaluate the risks involved. A format is given:

Reference: Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992(updated)

“Factors to which the employer must have regarded and questions he must consider when making an assessment of manual handling operations”:

Handling of Objects

Regulations 4(1)(b)(i)