General manual handling risk assessment
A manual handling risk assessment should break down the real lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling operation and who performs it. Load weight, grip and stability interact with posture, reach, repetition, route, pace and individual capability; there is no universal safe weight. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 establish a hierarchy: avoid hazardous handling where reasonably practicable, assess what cannot be avoided and reduce the risk. Observe the task rather than relying only on a description, and speak with workers who know where it becomes difficult. Redesign storage height, delivery size or workflow before defaulting to lifting technique training. Where aids are selected, make sure they fit the route, are maintained and do not introduce new pushing or trapping hazards.
- ✓Hazards and controls drawn from HSE guidance
- ✓Scored 5x5 risk matrix
- ✓Editable Word and PDF
In short
A risk assessment identifies what could cause harm in your work, who could be harmed and how, and what you do to control the risk. Every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment; with five or more employees the significant findings must be recorded.
What it must include
- ✓The hazards in the activity or workplace
- ✓Who might be harmed and how
- ✓Existing controls and further action needed
- ✓Risk rating (e.g. 5x5 likelihood x severity)
- ✓Who does what by when
- ✓Review date and when to review sooner
You stay the duty holder: review the document for your site before work starts. SitePaper is a drafting tool, not a consultancy.