The Regulations name injury, particularly back injury as the main concern. This lesson explains how manual handling hurts people and why early reporting matters.
What happens to the body
The spine is a column of bones with discs between them. Muscles, tendons and ligaments hold it in place and move it. When you lift or carry, these parts take a load. The HSA explains that the main concern is wear and tear on the back, especially on the lower discs. Back injuries can be painful, reduce movement, lead to long absences from work and are among the main causes of early disability.
You do not need to learn medicine. You need to know that some postures and efforts put more stress on the back.
Musculoskeletal disorders
A musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is an injury or illness of the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves or other soft tissues. Manual handling can cause:
- sprains and strains of the back, shoulders and arms;
- slipped or damaged discs and long-lasting back pain;
- hernias;
- injuries to hands and wrists from gripping and repeated movements.
Two ways injury happens
- Suddenly, in one movement: a heavy lift, a slip, a load that shifts or jams and then comes free.
- Gradually, from many small strains: repeated bending, twisting or reaching, and not enough rest between efforts.
A light load can also injure you if it is awkward, handled often, or lifted in a poor posture.
Risky postures and efforts
The HSA names these as important risk factors:
- Awkward postures: handling loads with the back bent or twisted puts more stress on the discs than with the back straight. Work above shoulder height is also stressful.
- Forceful exertions: lifting, pushing and pulling that need a lot of muscle effort.
- Repetitive motions: the same movement repeated often over a long time.
Holding a load away from the body is a common cause. The HSA guide says that holding a load at arm's length puts about five times the stress on the lower back as holding it close to the trunk.
People who need extra care
The employer must take account of workers who are especially sensitive to the risk. The HSA mentions, for example:
- employees who are or have been pregnant, including the months after returning from childbirth;
- people with a history of back, knee or hip trouble, a hernia or other health problems that affect handling.
The Regulations also say that, when an employer carries out health surveillance related to manual handling, it must take account of the Schedule 3 risk factors. If your health changes, tell your employer. It can then change the job.
Warning signs
Report these early:
- pain or aching in the back, shoulders, arms or legs that comes with your work;
- tingling or numbness in hands or feet;
- stiffness that does not go away after rest;
- a feeling that a task is getting harder than it used to be.
Section 13 of the 2005 Act requires you to report dangerous work and defects as soon as practicable. Early action lets the employer change the task, give you an aid or reduce the repetition, before a small problem becomes a lasting injury.
Key points
- The main concern is back injury, but arms, shoulders and joints are also affected.
- Injury can be sudden or can build up over time.
- Bent or twisted postures, force, repetition and holding loads far from the body raise the risk.
- Tell your employer about pregnancy, health problems or symptoms that affect handling.
- Report pain and tingling early.