Manual handling regulations By Hobie and Kyle

Musculoskeletal Disorders MSD – Musculoskeletal Disorder. MSD is the damage to the joints and other tissues in the upper and lower back, legs, neck, wrists and shoulders. About 2.3 million working days were lots due to illness or injuries in the past 21 years.

What are the causes of MSD Repetitive and heavy lifting.(the most at risk are jobs such as fire fighters and soldiers) Working in awkward or uncomfortable position Lifting heavy loads for long periods of time. Working to long without breaks.

How can MSDs be prevented Be trained how to use tools and equipment properly as well as how to lift and carry loads. Take regular breaks from carrying. Very work to reduce repetitive tasks. Report symptoms to your employer. Use machines to carry heavy loads when possible. Get a co-worker to help you.

Other common problems Slips and trips Slips and trips cause more than 30 per cent of all major injuries reported each year. Falls from height Falls from height are a hazard in all industrial sectors. Vibration Vibration can cause long-term health effects if it isn't dealt with properly. Noise Noise at work can cause permanent damage to hearing. Your employer has a legal duty to assess all of these hazards in a risk assessment. As well as telling you about them, they must supply information, training and suitable protective measures to reduce the risks linked to the hazards.

Things to be aware of when lifting and carrying Make the load smaller or easier to carry Make sure you have the right training for lifting safely Ask your employer to add in better lighting, more even flooring and better temperatures.

Your employer's responsibilities assess any hazardous manual handling operations that can't be avoided avoid hazardous manual handling operations if possible reduce the risk of injury by providing alternative methods of carrying out the task

What to do about back pain If you suffer from back pain, you should stay active and try simple pain relief tablets. If the pain doesn’t go away or gets worse, you should talk to your GP. If your back pain is caused by or made worse by your job, you should first speak to your employer. If you have an employee representative, e.g. a trade union official or a safety representative, they may be able to help you.

Extra help if you are disabled If you are disabled, you may need extra help to do manual work. Your employer can speak to an 'Access To Work Adviser' via the local Jobcentre, who may be able to help pay for any changes needed, e.g. providing lifting equipment.

What to do next Check if a risk assessments been carried out. Follow your recommendation about safe manual work, ask your employer to sort out training if needed. Tell your employer about any problems.

Manual Handling Regulations althAndSafetyAtWork/DG_ althAndSafetyAtWork/DG_ This is the supported website, and source of information.