Employers warned of dangers of manual handling
Categories:
Manufacturing Health and Safety |
General Health and Safety |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to employers to make sure that workers do not lift objects that are too heavy.
It stated that labourers should always know the weight of objects they are required to carry and that they are properly trained in the correct techniques and postures.
Regulation four of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 states that bosses are required to ensure that a "suitable assessment" is made for all lifting operations that workers are required to do.
Dr Ian James Ellison, HSE inspector, commented: "Employers must ensure that this sort of work is properly planned to take account of health and safety risks, and that employees are made fully aware of the risks associated with manually handling objects."
In related news, Toyota recently published a set of guidelines for businesses where manual handling is a necessity.
It contains information on how to lift, stack, and move items as well as simple rules about weights and advice on suitable equipment.
Managers may wish to invest in
safety boots and
safety signs to ensure that workers are aware of the dangers of lifting beyond their capabilities and to protect them if heavy objects are dropped.
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