Manual handling injuries can occur in many different circumstances and not always as a result of lifting heavy objects. It is common for employers take measures to prevent injuries occurring by providing trolleys and other aids or equipment.

Such measures are necessary and so long as staff have been trained to use the equipment properly there should be a reduced risk of injury.

However we find very often that staff are not fully trained on using equipment or do not fully appreciate the risks associated with pulling or pushing a heavy weight.

The following statistics from the RIDDOR site reveal the extent of the problems in this area within the UK workplace:

• 11% of manual handling - related RIDDOR accidents investigated by HSE involved pushing and pulling.
• The most frequently reported site of injury was the back (44%).
• Followed by the upper limbs (shoulder, arms, wrist and hand) accounted for 28.6%.
• 12% more accidents involved pulling than pushing (where the activity could be identified within the reports).
• 61% of accidents involved pushing and pulling objects that were not supported on wheels (e.g. bales, desks etc.)
• 35% of pushing and pulling accidents involved wheeled objects.

So this really is a major issue for employers and if staff are injured then they may well be in a position to make a compensation claim for their injuries and any associated losses.

We can help with such a claim and invite any injured victims to phone our freephone helpline on 0800 0322210

It is worth revising the Manual Handling Operations at this stage:

The main duties of an employee

• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling,
  reasonably practicable;

• Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous
  that can’t be avoided; and

• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual
  far as is reasonably practicable.
   

The main duties of the employee are as follows:

• Follow appropriate systems of work laid down for their safety;
  make proper use of equipment provided for their safety;

• Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters;
   

• Inform the employer if they identify hazardous handling activities;
   

• Take care to ensure that their activities do not put others at risk.

More on back injuries and lifting at work: betterbacks.gov.uk

News:

• Head injuries to quarry worker leads to his employers being fined   - 28th April 2008

• Prosecution following live cable accident  - 17th April 2008

• The new Health and Safety Executive born from a merger of the old HSE and HSC  - 8th April 2008

• Airport tragedy as worker fatally crushed - 26th March 2008

• No laughing matter workplace slips, trips and falls - 2nd March 2008

• Harrogate Local Authority and the Health and Safety Executive  join to promote the Better Backs Campaign - 13th February 2008

• HSE inspection initiative targeting construction refurbishment sites - 12th February 2008

• HSE warns employers they must inspect and maintain equipment for workers safety - 5th February 2008

• Inadequate training injury claim study

If you have suffered a personal injury at work - CALL NOW FOR FREE ADVICE ON MAKING A CLAIM

Tel 0800 0322210