edp Safety Systems
total Management of Health and Safety
for every organisation
health, safety and environment consultants
Service Overview
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Call us on: 01744 766000
or fax on: 01744 766025
or email on:
enquiries@edp-uk.com.
Essential Services
H+S Services:
- Health and Safety Audit
- General Risk Assessment
- Specific Risk Assessment
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Manual Handling Risk Assessment
- COSHH Risk Assessment
- Display Screen Equipment Assessment
- Noise Risk Assessment
- Asbestos Survey (Type II)
- Competent Contractors Audit
- Access Consultancy
- Portable Appliance Testing
Overview
Your organisation will carry out a wide range of jobs that involve manual handling operations at some time or other. These may be potentially hazardous because they involve large, heavy or awkward loads. Alternatively, the load itself may not be the main cause of risk but the way in which it needs to be handled (e.g. the height from which it is lifted).
As well as the load, its placement, its transportation etc. risks associated with manual handling may arise as a result of the employee being unaware of the correct methods for lifting and moving objects.
It is important, therefore, to examine all manual handling operations to determine the best way to eliminate or control the risks and to ensure employees both know and practice good manual handling techniques.
Objectives
A Manual Handling Risk Assessment does not normally identify every instance where manual handling operations are carried out in an organisation. Typically, this work has already been done by General Risk Assessment, during which specific operations have been identified for more detailed examination and assessment.
The Manual Handling Risk Assessment, therefore, is directed at specific activities to assess the levels of risk and what needs to be done to eliminate or adequately control them.
Methodology
A competent assessor examines the load, the individual(s) undertaking the work, the environment, the task, the elements of the activities associated with moving the load and any equipment currently in use.
Established procedures and practices are also taken into account and representatives of those who actually undertake the operations are interviewed to establish the circumstances surrounding the operations.
Observations are also made of what actually happens in practice.
The nature and levels of risk are assessed and recommendations given for any additional control measures, training requirements, etc. that are deemed necessary.
Duration
A "typical" assessment is normally completed within a day. However, this may need to be extended, depending on the complexity of the steps listed under "Methodology".