Manual handling at work

2. Avoid hazardous manual handling

You can avoid hazardous manual handling operations by:

  • redesigning the task to avoid moving the load
  • automating or mechanising the process

The best time to decide about mechanisation or automation is when you design plant or work systems. Design the layout of a process so there is very little movement of materials.

Consider introducing, for example, a conveyor, a chute, a pallet truck, an electric or hand-powered hoist, or a lift truck to reduce the risk of harm. Mechanical aids[6] can also help reduce or eliminate risks from manual handling.

Link URLs in this page

  1. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/index.htm
  2. Assess manual handling you can’t avoidhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/assess-manual-handling.htm
  3. Reduce the risk of injuryhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/reduce-risk-injury.htm
  4. Traininghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/training.htm
  5. The lawhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/the-law.htm
  6. Mechanical aidshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg398.htm
  7. Previous page Overview https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manual-handling/index.htm
  8. Next page Assess manual handling you can't avoid https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manual-handling/assess-manual-handling.htm
  9. View a printable version of the whole guidehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/manual-handling/print.htm
  10. Manual handling leaflethttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.htm
  11. Legal guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l23.htm
  12. External help on manual handlinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/MSD/external-help.htm
  13. Making the best use of lifting and handling aidshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg398.htm
  14. MAC tool leaflethttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg383.htm
  15. RAPP tool leaflethttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg478.htm

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Updated:2024-03-25-->