The Scale of the Problem
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back injuries, strains and sprains are the most common cause of work-related ill health in the UK construction industry. The HSE estimates they cost the industry millions of working days every year.
Yet most manual handling injuries are entirely preventable.
The Law: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
These regulations require employers to:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable
- Assess any hazardous manual handling that cannot be avoided
- Reduce the risk of injury from those operations
The regulations apply to all manual handling, not just heavy lifting. Pushing, pulling, carrying and supporting loads all count.
What's a 'Hazardous' Load?
The HSE publishes guideline weights, but these are not legal limits. A load is hazardous if:
- It is heavy (over 25kg for most adults in ideal conditions)
- It is unwieldy, difficult to grip or unstable
- It must be handled in an awkward posture
- It is carried over long distances or up stairs
- The task is repetitive
The TILE Framework
When assessing manual handling risk, use TILE:
| Letter | Factor | Questions to ask | |---|---|---| | T | Task | Does it involve twisting, stooping, repetition? | | I | Individual | Is the person trained and physically capable? | | L | Load | Is it heavy, bulky, sharp, hot? | | E | Environment | Is the floor slippery? Is there limited space? |
Control Measures
- Use mechanical aids: sack trucks, pallet trucks, hoists, conveyors
- Break loads into smaller units where possible
- Ensure good housekeeping with clear routes and level surfaces
- Train workers in safe lifting technique
- Rotate tasks to avoid repetitive strain
Key Lifting Technique Reminders
- Feet shoulder-width apart, close to the load
- Bend the knees, keep the back straight
- Grip firmly and keep the load close to the body
- Lift with the legs, not the back
- Avoid twisting; turn your whole body with your feet
Include manual handling assessments in your RAMS with Site Safety UK.
