Manual handling

A manual handling operation may be defined as "any transporting or supporting of a load (including lifting, putting down, pushing pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force."

Approximately one third of all injuries reported to the enforcing authorities (HSE, RIDDOR, over 3 day injuries) are due to incorrect manual handling. Over £100million a year is lost due to injuries at work associated with incorrect manual handling. 

Injuries to discs, ligaments, muscles, etc are of a cumulative nature rather than being attributable to any single handling incident. Ninety percent of back problems are attributable to vertebral disc lesions which cause "pinching" pains. Ligaments and tendons may tear. Hernias may develop after straining the muscle wall tissue. Dropping objects on body parts can cause fractures, abrasions and cuts, etc.

Injuries during manual handling operations are caused by incorrect lifting (forces of compression made on spine, ligaments, and tendons); pushing and pulling (high stresses exerted on the body when pushing rather than pulling); and, carrying (muscles may tire depending upon how the load is being carried).