Under section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 manual handling risk assessment must be completed for all manual handling tasks in the workplace, including all employees who complete those tasks.
Manual handling is the use of the human body, to lift, lower, fill, empty, or carry loads and includes climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose a risk of injury to the back/body. Techniques used to reduce or eliminate risks associated with manual handling tasks include:
- The use of lifting aids.
- Reducing the load.
- Sharing the load.
- Providing specific training in correct ergonomic lifting techniques
Injuries can result from a single incident, from the cumulative effects of manual handling or from repetitive actions. Potentially tasks that involve bending and/or twisting of the back, repetitive motions, the carrying or lifting of heavy loads and maintaining fixed positions for a long time can cause injury and/or ill health.
4Front provides manual handling instructors that are accredited to FETAC level 6.
