A diagram included in the Health and Safety Executives official guidance to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (see below) has given rise to misunderstandings about weight limits in manual handling.
Because of this diagram, and the prevalence of building site materials supplied in 25kg bags, many people think that 25kg is the maximum weight a man can lift in a UK workforce. They fail to consider the many other factors that can escalate the risks in manual handling.
Using the Manual Handling Operations Regulations Diagram
The main purpose of this diagram is to provide weight and distance indicators for when a formal risk assessment should be completed. In the Alistair Bromhead City & Guilds Manual Handling Train the Trainer Course, weight and distance from parts of the body are only two of the 40 risk factors covered.
Reducing the Risks of Injury Through Manual Handling
No-one wants to see a staff member suffer an injury through a manual handling work activity, yet back pain which really dents a persons quality of life is the commonest result of poor handling techniques, and the commonest cause of sick leave. Health and Safety Executive statistics quote 4.1 million days off work a year due to back problems.
Avoiding the Risks of Non-Compliance with Manual Handling
To avoid the possibility of costly compensation, employers must comply with the regulations on risk assessments and staff training. There is some leeway, and normal operations can continue while risk assessments are undertaken. However, these and any necessary changes they indicate must be undertaken as early as possible and be seen as reasonably practicable activities.
In-house manual handling trainers who undertake the Alistair Bromhead course will be able to train managers and supervisors to recognise when risk assessments are necessary as well as training staff members to perform their duties in the safest way possible.