Age Concern Hounslow Manual Handling Risk Assessment PART ONE PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT This checklist is to be used as a preliminary assessment of the work area. If the answer is yes or possibly, then a full manual handling risk assessment should be carried out. Date of assessment Building Name Address Task/Operation assessed Inspected by Post Code Preliminary check list N/A Yes No Is the load bulky, unstable and/or difficult to grasp? Is poor posture involved, e.g.: stooping, leaning sideways, bending from the waist or hips? Are there any adverse environmental conditions, e.g.: too hot or cold, slippery floor, poor lighting etc.? Is the load carried further than 10 metres without rest? Is the load held away from the body whilst being carried? Does any pushing or pulling occur with the hands above shoulder height or below knuckle height? Is the load lifted from below the handler s lap or above shoulder height whilst seated? Conclusion Yes Poss No Risk of Injury exists Signature of assessor:... Name:... ACH Health and Safety Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009
Manual Handling Risk Assessment PART TWO FULL MANUAL HANDLING ASSESSMENT Background Information: Department / Area Assessor Date Manual Handling Operation Assessed: Location of operation: Description of operation assessed: Have there been any accidents/ill health in the last year, connected with this operation? Specify: Are there any at risk groups e.g.: young people, pregnant workers or those suffering from ill health? Risk Factors Yes Comments 1. Task Does the task involve: 1.1 Holding the load at a distance from the trunk? approximate distance 1.2 twisting the trunk? degree of twist 1.3 poor posture, e.g.: stooping, leaning sideways, bending from the waist, hips? describe 1.4 excessive lifting or lowering distances? length through which load lifted or lowered 1.5 long carrying distances? distances load carried ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 2
Risk Factors Yes Comments 1.6 strenuous pushing or pulling of the load? details of starting and stopping 1.7 a risk of sudden movement of the load? nature of movement 1.8 frequent or prolonged physical effort? frequency of operation or total duration of operation 1.9 insufficient rest or recovery periods? current arrangements 1.10 performance of the same task continuously throughout working day? 1.11 handling whilst seated? weights involved 1.12 use of clothing or PPE which prevents easy movement? 2. Load Is the load? 2.1 Heavy? weight 2.2 bulky, awkward or difficult to grasp? approximate dimensions 2.3 unstable or with contents likely to shift? nature of instability 2.4 hazardous, e.g.: sharp, hot, cold etc. nature of hazard 2.5 greasy, wet, slippery? describe problem 2.6 likely to obstruct the handler s vision? 2.7 do any manufacturer s or special conditions apply? (e.g.: fragile) 3. Working Conditions: Are there: 3.1 space constraints preventing good posture? ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 3
describe ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 4
3. Working Conditions: Are there: 3.2 uneven, slippery or unstable floors? describe 3.3 changes in the work level to be negotiated whilst handling the load? describe 3.4 any obstacles or hazards to be negotiated? describe 3.5 extremes of temperature, humidity, air movement? provide readings 3.6 poor lighting conditions provide readings 3.7 any problems caused by other environmental conditions? describe problems 4. Individual capability Does the activity: 4.1 require above average strength or fitness? names of handlers not meeting these requirements 4.2 put at risk those who may be pregnant or have a health problem? names of handlers at risk 4.3 require training for its safe performance? names of handlers requiring training 4.4 require any special training for its safe performance, e.g.: how to assess the weight of an unmarked load? names of handlers requiring training ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 5
Questions ticked yes Risk rating* Correctiv e action required? Action Needed (describe) Date implemented Signature *See attached for how rating is decided ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 6
MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES DEGREE OF RISK EVALUATION MATRIX Once you have identified the risks in relation to a certain hazard you need to be able to calculate the Degree of Risk. The Degree of Risk is calculated by assessing the likelihood that injury or damage will occur and the severity (worst case outcome) of that injury or damage to property. Stage 1 each hazard must be evaluated for its likelihood to cause injury or damage to property/equipment. You need to discuss with staff how often people are exposed to the hazard. Exposure/Contact Frequency of Exposure to the Hazard With the Hazard INFEQUENTLY Probability is close to zero OCCASIONALLY Could occur sometimes OFTEN Will occur several times CONSTANTLY Occurs repeatedly/event to be expected ο Stage 2 Next the level of Severity must be decided on. The following needs to be discussed with staff:- Has there been any injuries linked to this hazard in the past e.g. back pain, bruising. Has it caused people to have time off work. What could happen, looking at the worst case scenarios, if an accident happened. The Degree of Risk can then be assessed by using the Likelihood decided on Vs the Severity of the worse case outcome. LIKELIHOOD Maximum probable loss INFREQUENT OCCASIONALLY OFTEN CONTANTLY (Work Related) S E V E R I T Y No injury or No time off work or no property damage Minor Injury or Up to 3 days off work or Minor property damage Major injury or 3 or more days off work or Major property damage Fatality or 4 weeks plus off work or Catastrophic damage LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH VERY HIGH MEDIUM HIGH VERY HIGH VERY HIGH ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 7
Stage 3 Gives a time frame for you to take action to reduce the risks DEGREE OF RISK TIME FRAMES FOR ACTION TO CONTROL DEGREE OF RISK LOW Action if reasonably Practicable Monitor MEDIUM Action Within 3 months if Reasonably Practicable HIGH Action As Soon As Possible within 2 weeks VERY HIGH Action Immediately Stage 4 Insert the Degree of Risk on the Risk Assessment Form in columns (iv) and (vi) ACH Health & Safety - Appendix 5 (Manual Handling) rev. March 2009 8