cannot be avoided; To reduce the risk of injuries resulting from hazardous manual handling operations as far as reasonably practicable; To review the risk assessments at appropriate intervals and revise them if necessary. It is the policy of SRET that all possible steps should be taken to eliminate the risks associated with manual handling in the workplace. As this is not always possible, the Trust will seek to reduce the unavoidable risks. This is through the provision of staff training in the form of advice on good handling techniques and by supplying mechanical aids where appropriate such a “sack-trucks”, and hoists. A generic manual handling assessment for the Trust will be completed and made available to all employees. Where an individual’s role will involve prolonged or repeated manual handling, an individual risk assessment will be undertaken to fully understand the risks involved and seek to implement control measures to minimise the risk of a manual handling injury Where tasks involving manual handling with the potential for injury cannot be avoided, a and sufficient’ risk assessment must be made: ‘suitable Task: Consider whether the task involves Holding the load at a distance from the trunk this increases the – stresses on the lower back; Twisting the trunk this should be – avoided when lifting or supporting a load; Stooping this increases the stress on the lower back; – Reaching upwards this places higher stress on the back, shoulders and arms; – Excessive lifting or lowering distances the ideal range for handling a load is – around waist height; Handling while seated many movements from a seated position will inevitably – involve a degree of stooping and/ or twisting; Excessive carrying distance the risk of injury increases if a load is carried – more than about 10m even if the load is not difficult to handle; Excessive pushing or pulling of the load Insufficient rest or recovery periods this will result in physical and mental – fatigue; Team handling although used to reduce some team handling can – introduce other risks, particularly in relation to good planning and of the task. Individual Does the job?: – Require unusual strength, height etc the task should be suitable for the – working population and not rely on height, strength etc ‘normal’ Create a hazard to who are pregnant or have a health problem; and Require special knowledge or training for its safe performance: who should
cannot be avoided; To reduce the risk of injuries resulting from hazardous manual handling operations as far as reasonably practicable; To review the risk assessments at appropriate intervals and revise them if necessary. It is the policy of SRET that all possible steps should be taken to eliminate the risks associated with manual handling in the workplace. As this is not always possible, the Trust will seek to reduce the unavoidable risks. This is through the provision of staff training in the form of advice on good handling techniques and by supplying mechanical aids where appropriate such a “sack-trucks”, and hoists. A generic manual handling assessment for the Trust will be completed and made available to all employees. Where an individual’s role will involve prolonged or repeated manual handling, an individual risk assessment will be undertaken to fully understand the risks involved and seek to implement control measures to minimise the risk of a manual handling injury Where tasks involving manual handling with the potential for injury cannot be avoided, a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment must be made: Task: Consider whether the task involves Holding the load at a distance from the trunk – this increases the stresses on the lower back; Twisting the trunk – this should be avoided when lifting or supporting a load; Stooping – this increases the stress on the lower back; Reaching upwards – this places higher stress on the back, shoulders and arms; Excessive lifting or lowering distances – the ideal range for handling a load is around waist height; Handling while seated – many movements from a seated position will inevitably involve a degree of stooping and/ or twisting; Excessive carrying distance – the risk of injury increases if a load is carried more than about 10m even if the load is not difficult to handle; Excessive pushing or pulling of the load Insufficient rest or recovery periods – this will result in physical and mental fatigue; Team handling – although used to reduce some team handling can introduce other risks, particularly in relation to good planning and of the task. Individual – Does the job?: Require unusual strength, height etc – the task should be suitable for the ‘normal’ working population and not rely on height, strength etc Create a hazard to who are pregnant or have a health problem; and Require special knowledge or training for its safe performance: who should
SRET-Manual-Handling-Policy-Final-Oct-17.docx