New manual handling guidance up on web
Employers should reorganise and redesign working practices to avoid and reduce manual handling risks, says the HSE.
New web-based musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) guidance says off-the-shelf manual handling training should become a thing of the past.
“Simplistic training involving bending your knees to lift a cardboard box is just a waste of time and money,” said HSE manager Geoff Cox. “Start with reorganising and redesigning your working practices.”
If employers still need staff training to deal with any remaining risks, he said, this needs to be customised and professionally delivered.
The Unite general union was involved in developing the guidance.
“The key point from the web-based advice is the importance of involving workers in all aspects dealing with manual handling solutions — the people who do the work often come up with the best answers,” said Unite national health and safety adviser Susan Murray.