Manual handling is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, which is why understanding the risks associated with manual tasks is so important. Not just for workers on the ground, but also for those responsible for maintaining a safe working environment.
In this article, we’ll break down what the most common types of manual handling incident is, why and how such injuries happen and the practical steps employers and workers can take to minimise risks.
What counts as manual handling?
Manual handling accidents involve transporting or supporting a load by hand or body. This includes activities like lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving items. The most common workplaces that suffer manual handing injuries are:
- Warehouses — Injuries happen when stacking pallets or moving inventory.
- Healthcare — Injuries happen when moving patients or medical equipment.
- Retail — Injuries happen when stocking shelves or unloading deliveries.
- Offices — Injuries happen when installing IT equipment or moving desks.
Repetitive or awkward movements also fall under manual handling. Even without heavy lifting, these can cause strains and sprains and pose risks at all types of work environments.
The most common type of manual handling incident is a back injury
The most common type of manual handling incident is a back injury. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) say that manual handling is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders, especially back pain. Back injuries at work often occur because of:
- Poor lifting — Bending or twisting while lifting can cause back injury.
- Excessive weight — Attempting to lift loads beyond one’s capacity can cause back injury.
- Awkward posture — Lifting in confined spaces or at awkward angles can cause back injury.
- Repetitive strain — Performing the same movements repeatedly without proper rest can cause back injury.
All back injuries, including muscle strains, slipped discs, and chronic lower back pain are preventable at work. Preventing manual handling injuries is the responsibility of your employer, so if you feel you’ve been neglected by your employer in this regard, it’s time to make a personal injury claim.
Other injuries caused by poor manual handling
While back injury is the most common manual handling injury, other common workplace injuries include:
- Strains and sprains — These include injuries to muscles and ligaments, often in the arms, shoulders or legs.
- Hernias — These are caused by lifting heavy loads improperly, leading to internal tissue protrusion.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries — These are the result of repetitive tasks without proper breaks.
- Crushing injuries — This happens after dropping heavy items, potentially injuring feet or hands.
Why do so many of these injuries happen?
While manual handling is a routine part of many jobs, there are a few practises that can contribute to injuries more than others, including:
- Inadequate training — If you don’t receive the right training or aren’t trained at all, you’ll be more likely to injure yourself.
- Lack of risk assessments — If your workplace does not conduct proper risk assessments, the hazards at play are more likely to injure you.
- Incorrect equipment — If your workplace doesn’t provide you with tools that limit or assist in manual handling, you’ll be more likely to injure yourself.
- Workplace culture — A toxic workplace could perpetuate neglecting safety protocols and cause more injuries.
- High workloads — The more work is required, the more likely mistakes happen, including manual handling injuries.
Employers have a legal responsibility to address these issues under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
What can employers do to prevent manual handling injuries?
Your employer has a duty of care over you and your colleagues. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require them to prevent manual handling injuries by:
- Assessing risks — Regular risk assessments should be conducted to point out where improvements could be made.
- Reducing risks — Once risks are identified, your employer should put equipment and safeguards in place to limit or prevent them.
This includes providing appropriate training, supplying necessary equipment and fostering a safety-conscious work environment for all.
Safe lifting techniques and other ways to reduce your risk
As an employee, you have a responsibility to your own safety and the safety of others. Here are our workplace safety tips for better manual handling:
- Assess the task — Do this by using the TILE method: Task, Individual, Load, Environment.
- Plan the lift — When lifting, make a clear path and know where you’re placing the load.
- Use proper technique — Lift with your legs, not your back.=.
- Seek assistance — If a load is too heavy, ask for help or use mechanical aids.
- Use equipment — Use trolleys, hoists or other aids whenever possible.
- Stay organised — Reduce clutter to prevent trips and falls.
And remember to always use the correct PPE and take regular breaks throughout the day.
What to do if you’ve been injured while lifting at work
If you have been the victim of a manual handling injury, it’s important that you take the right steps as soon as possible — both to keep you safe and to ensure you don’t limit any evidence you’ll need for a personal injury claim. Here’s our recommendation on what to do after you’ve been injured while lifting at work:
- Report the injury — Tell your manager about your accident as soon as you can. If your injuries are too great, make sure a colleague does this. This will ensure your accident was recorded in an accident book — you’ll need this as evidence for a claim.
- Seek medical attention — See a doctor for a proper assessment. Back injuries, in particular, can get worse over time if not treated. You’ll also need their report to back up a claim.
- Take photographs — Images of your injuries, the accident scene or the responsible equipment can be key pieces of evidence in a compensation case.
- Take witness statements — Anyone who saw the accident can act as a key witness in an injury claim.
Be sure to keep all the evidence you have together if you want to pursue a personal injury case.
When to get legal advice
While the most common type of manual handling incident is back injury, all manual handling injuries can be avoided if the right systems are in place.
If you believe your manual handling personal injury was caused by your employer’s negligence, whether it’s poor training, a lack of equipment, or unsafe working conditions, you may have a claim.
Get in touch with Express Solicitors to get started. We have over twenty years of experience in personal injury law, and even offer a no-win, no-fee guarantee — that means you won’t have to pay us in legal fees unless your case is successful. Interested? Start today.