Musculoskeletal disorders - Advice for employers

Introduction

The information on these web pages will help you understand:

• what you may need to do as an employer to comply with the law relating to MSD’s and manual handling
• how you can protect your employees and those they care for from injury
• how you can better help employees who have back pain or other MSDs

You may find these pages helpful if you are:

• an employee, or self-employed person;
• a trade union safety representative or an employee representative;
• a back care or occupational health adviser.

Manual handling risk assessments

An outline of employers duties and general advice can be found in the leaflet Getting to grips with manual handling INDG143 [368KB]

The first step in managing manual handling risk is to carry out a risk assessment of manual handling tasks. The risk assessment should start by considering whether or not the load has to be moved at all.

If it does have to be moved then can it be moved mechanically, for example by using a handling aid such as a pallet truck, electric or hand powered hoist, or a conveyor? Advice on the many different types of lifting and handling aids is contained in Are you making the best use of lifting and handling aids INDG398 [417KB].

If manual lifting is the only option there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk including:

• making the load smaller or easier to lift?
• modifying the workstation to reduce carrying distances, twisting movements, or lifting things from floor level or above shoulder height?
• improving the environment - eg. better lighting, flooring, or air temperature can sometimes make manual handling easier and safer;
• ensuring the person doing the lifting been trained to lift as safely as possible

More information and advice on manual handling is available from the leaflet Getting to grips with manual handling: A short guide. INDG143 [368KB]

The Guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations contains a risk assessment filter and checklist to help employers assess manual handling tasks. A revised version of the manual handling guidance was published in March 2004. It also includes a checklist to help you assess the risk posed by workplace pushing and pulling activities.

The Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) provide and interactive score sheet to help you assess various manual handling tasks. The MAC does not comprise a full risk assessment, as some aspects, such as individual factors, are not covered. Also the MAC tool is not appropriate for assessing the risks of moving and handling of persons.

Moving and handling people

Approximately half of the manual handling injuries reported in healthcare services happen during the moving and handling of persons.

Where individuals need assistance with their mobility it is essential that their records or care plan contain an assessment of their needs. The assessments should identify the moving and handling aids that are required to move the client safely. The Guide to Handling of People (fifth edition) contains detailed guidance on client handling assessments.

An example of a client based manual handling risk assessment can be found in the All Wales Manual Handling Training Passport and Information Scheme

Employers will need to look at the type and frequency of moving and handling tasks staff are carrying out in order to decide which handling aids they need to provide e.g. hoists, slide sheets, turn devices.

The range of slings available should be appropriate for the client group and include a selection of sizes.

Managing employees who have back pain

You cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, proper treatment and suitable rehabilitation is essential.

Guidance on preventing and managing back pain: HSE back pain site