Common Causes Of Manual Handling Accidents And How To Overcome Them

Unfortunately, in many industries, it is not always possible to avoid manual handling tasks. That said, there are ways in which a business owner can ensure that manual handling operations are made safer to avoid the type of accident that commonly occurs when employees are lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads. Here, we ask the experts what the most common causes of manual handling accidents are. We also discover what steps an employer can take to reduce the risks of such accidents, including the training they should provide, and the equipment they may consider, such as pump trucks, goods lifts, and other useful solutions.

What causes manual handling accidents?

Primarily, manual handling accidents are caused by improper handling techniques, or environments that contribute to the difficulty of moving goods. The top causes of such injuries include activities where people are lifting, carrying and moving loads that are awkwardly shaped, too heavy, or are carried out too repetitively. This puts an extra strain on the body; particularly the back, arms and neck.
Unfortunately, inadequate training on proper handling techniques can also contribute to the risk of injury, as can poor workplace layout.
In order to avoid injuries, there are certain steps an employee can take, for both the employees benefit and their own, as they will not be faced with at best an employee who needs time off work, and at worst, a lawsuit for failing to protect their workers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Reducing the risk of manual handling accidents

Changing the way in which you approach your manual handling operations is the first step. It’s vital that you adhere to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. The process of doing so involves the thorough risk assessment of manual handling activities using the TILE framework(Task Individual Load Environment). This should be undertaken for every manual handling task. It is vital for employers to understand the unique risks of different loads, and how the person undertaking the task may influence whether extra help or equipment is required. 
In addition, you must provide adequate training to employees in safe lifting techniques. This includes training any employee, not just warehouse operatives, that might be tasked with moving a load.
You must also ensure that you optimise your workplace to minimise the duration, repetitiveness and other risks of manual handling tasks. Where possible, you should also provide and ensure you maintain the equipment that is most suitable to aid in moving loads more safely. This equipment could include pump trucks for pulling loads around the warehouse, gloves and other PPE, and even goods lifts to aid with movement between floors.

Goods lifts and manual handling safety

If you run an organisation over more than one floor, upgrading your loading operations and installing goods lifts is a good step towards enhancing your workplace safety. This can ensure there is a reduced need for manual handling, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Good lifts offer an efficient and safe way of moving heavy items between floors. By integrating these lifts, not only can you improve the safety and manual handling operations between floors, you can also enhance the productivity within your establishment.
Goods lifts are just one way of being able to reduce the risks of your workers being injured when completing manual handling tasks. However, when combined with adequate training, good workplace management, and thorough risk assessments at every step of the way, your employees will be well aware that you are doing the best you can to keep them safe while at work.