Your duties as an employer

• Avoid the need for your employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work.
• Risk assess the lifting/carrying tasks that cannot be avoided.
• Reduce the risk by introducing control measures e.g. provide mechanical assistance – hydraulic hoists, sack trucks, pallet trucks or trolleys.

Avoiding manual handling

• Can the movement of loads be eliminated?
• Are the handling operations unnecessary?
• Could the desired result be achieved in some entirely different way?

• Can it be automated or mechanised?

Risk assessment

• The task.
• The load.
• The working environment.
• The capability of the individual.

Reducing the risk of injury

• An ergonomic approach; fitting the operations to the individual, rather than the other way around.
• Mechanical assistance; use handling aids e.g. hydraulic hoists, sack trucks, pallet trucks or trolleys. 
• Improve the task layout; improving the flow of materials.
• Improve the work routine; avoid the need for fixed postures for significant lengths of time.
• Team handling; handling by a team of two or more may provide a safer alternative.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) e.g. gloves and safety footwear.
• Decant the load where possible, make the load lighter/smaller – less bulky items can be grasped more easily.
• Work environment; remove trip/slip hazards and make sure lighting is adequate.
• Good handling techniques; train employees to lift items safely.

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