Manual handling - managing risks

Things to consider are
* Task
* Individual
* Load
* Environment

As for all risk management, the first thing to do is to consider whether the manual handling activity can be eliminated. First by not having to move the load at all. Second by use of lifting aids.

Next, can the risks be reduced by changing the task or rearranging equipment or the workplace? Things to consider include can the load be kept at the same level throughout the task (i.e. do not put on floor between activities), can the flow of work change so people do not need to twist or bend, can the flow be changed so the distances involved are reduced?

Where manual handling is carried out, people should be trained to do it properly.

There may be individual factors to consider including strength and size compared to the load.

It is important to monitor health and injury statistics to pick if manual handling may be a problem.

People under stress (maybe caused by boring jobs or unrealistic demands) may be more likely to have problems.