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Manual handling at work

A brief guide

Date of publication:
January 2020
ISBN:
9780717667321
Series code:
INDG143 (rev4)

This revised leaflet is aimed at employers. It explains the problems associated with manual handling and includes guidance on how to deal with them. It gives useful practical advice on reducing the risk of injury from manual handling and will help employers carry out their duties under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

The updated version brings the risk assessment process in line with L23 (PDF) [5] Appendix 1 to help identify low-risk tasks and includes:

  • more information on the simple risk filters for lifting and lowering and carrying operations
  • simplified advice on pushing and pulling with new simple filter pushing/pulling illustrations
  • a simple filter for handling while seated

The section on safe handling techniques from the previous version has been moved to HSE's website.

There are no changes to regulations or policy.

Link URLs in this page

  1. Publicationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/index.htm
  2. HSE Bookshttps://books.hse.gov.uk/
  3. Download a free copy - INDG143https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf
  4. Buy this product - INDG143https://books.hse.gov.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1356943&Action=Book&ProductID=9780717667321
  5. L23https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l23.pdf
  6. L23 Manual handling: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l23.htm
  7. Manual handling assessment charts (the MAC tool) - INDG383 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg383.htm
  8. Risk assessment of pushing and pulling (RAPP) tool - INDG478https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg478.htm
  9. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/index.htm
  10. HSE Books +44 (0)333 202 5070https://books.hse.gov.uk/
  11. Translated leafletshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm
  12. Legislationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/index.htm
  13. Statisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
  14. Science and Researchhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/research/index.htm
  15. Subscribe - news and updateshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/news/subscribe/index.htm

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Updated: 2021-03-15