Manual Handling

As a leading provider of Health & Safety eLearning, our experts are often asked about Manual Handling. We’ve collected all of those questions and answered them for you below…

Browse sections

Frequently asked questions
Documents & other resources

Frequently asked questions

Just because you have been carrying heavy things for a long time, doesn’t mean that it is the correct way to do things. You may have been causing damage to your body without realising. Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work. Carrying out this training could result in fewer absences which is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.
All employers have a responsibility to avoid manual handling where possible if there is a risk of injury. If the lifting cannot be avoided then they should reduce the risk of injury as much as possible.
You should always test the weight of the load before lifting it. Then you should make sure that you are in a stable position. Always make sure you use your legs, they are your strongest muscles and minimise the pressure on your back. When lifting from the floor you should, find a stable position, lower to the floor by bending your knees and keeping your back straight, then bring the load close to your body and use your legs to lift as you stand keep the neutral posture
There are no legal limits of what you can or can’t lift at work. But 20kg is about the maximum you should be lifting.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 is the legislation surrounding manual handling. It states that if your workplace requires you to do manual handling then everyone one should undertake proper training to understand what the do’s and don’ts of lifting are.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 defines manual handling as “…any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.”
Last year, 21% of all non-fatal injuries reported were due to manual handling alone.
It is the employer’s responsibility to conduct risk assessments in the workplace.
The power zone is the zone between your mid-thigh and mid-chest, where you can lift the most amount of weight with the least amount of exertion
TILE or LITE stands for load, individual, task and environment. To find out more visit our TILE & LITE blog.