Manual handling

What you need to know

Many of the injuries in the woodworking and furniture industry are caused during manual handling activities. There is potential for injury present during:

  • handling of timber and board material
  • machining and assembly
  • handling and storage of the finished product, for example roof trusses[1]

Lifting and handling aids can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

What you need to do

Manual handling assessment chart

HSE has developed the manual handling assessment chart (MAC)[2] to help employers assess manual handling operations. Employers need to identify high-risk operations before deciding on the most appropriate control solutions.

Find out more

Link URLs in this page

  1. roof trusseshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/roof-truss-manual-handling.htm
  2. manual handling assessment chart (MAC)https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/index.htm
  3. Manual handling solutions in woodworking INDG318 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg318.htm
  4. Roof truss manual handlinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/roof-truss-manual-handling.htm
  5. Information sheets & Circular saw posterhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/wis.htm
  6. Safe use of woodworking machinery Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (ACOP)https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l114.htm

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Updated 2024-10-18