Manual handling injuries can occur even from light loads particularly if the task requires repetitive movements. There are a number of control measures that should be applied to manual handling tasks in the following order:

1. Avoidance of hazardous manual handling operations*. This can be done through the use of mechanical aids, e.g. a forklift truck with attachments.

2. Any manual handling operations that can not be avoided must be assessed*. Carrying out a risk assessment of the task/procedure will help to identify hazardous manual handling (where an employee is likely to suffer an injury), e.g. hand balling boxes into a van.

3. The risk of injury due to manual handling operations must be reduced*. There are a number of ways this can be reduced, e.g. in the case of repetitive movement, job rotation can be implemented or splitting of the load.

* health and safety states that the above must be carried out as far as is reasonably practical.

To assess a manual handling activity, use our manual handling risk assessment.