POLICY FOR MANUAL HANDLING Date apprved: 1 Date reviewed: 2 Date f next review: 3 TBC TBC TBC 1 This is the date the plicy was apprved by the meeting 2 This is the date the plicy was reviewed prir t its apprval abve 3 This is the date as set by the plicy review clause r the date apprved plus tw years Headteacher als means Head f Cllege and Principal Schl als means Cllege, Academy r Academies References t Schl are taken t mean any schl within the Fur Cs Multi-Academy Trust
Cntents 1. Assciated Legislatin 3 2. Cdes f Practice and Guidance 3 3. Plicy Aims and Objectives 3 4. Statement f Intent 4 5. Organisatin 6 6. Organisatinal Respnsibilities 6 7. Eliminatin f Hazardus Manual Handling Activities 9 8. Assessment f Risk 9 9. Staff Invlvement 10 10. Mnitring Health and Safety Perfrmance 10 11. Risk Assessment Review 11 12. Training 11 Page 2
1.0 Assciated Legislatin The Health and Safety at Wrk etc. Act 1974. The Management f Health & Safety At Wrk Regulatins 1999. Manual Handling Regulatins 1992. The Prvisin and Use f Wrk Equipment Regulatins 1998. The Lifting Operatins and Lifting Equipment at Wrk Regulatins 1998. Reprting f Injuries, Diseases and Dangerus Occurrences Regulatins 2013. 2.0 Cdes f Practice and Guidance Manual Handling Assessment Charts, http://www.hse.gv.uk/pubns/indg383.pdf. Getting t Grips with Manual Handling, http://www.hse.gv.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf. Are yu making the best use f lifting and handling aids? http://www.hse.gv.uk/pubns/indg398.pdf. 3.0 Plicy aims and bjectives 3.1 AIMS The aim f this plicy is t eliminate the need fr emplyees t undertake any hazardus manual handling tasks s far, as is reasnably practicable, in accrdance with current legislatin and prmte best practice with regard t manual handling tasks. 3.2 OBJECTIVES T meet the aim the fllwing bjectives need t be achieved: 3.2.1 Management Cmmitment/Wrker Invlvement T ensure staff are actively invlved in addressing significant musculskeletal disrders (MSD) risks by the appintment f key persnnel t: assess risk. avid r cntrl risk. mnitr prgress in reducing r maintaining risk as lw as is reasnably practicable. review and effect change where needed. 3.2.2 Instructin and Training, ensuring: Key persnnel have suitable cmpetencies t undertake their appinted functins. All emplyees receive clear instructins and training apprpriate t the degree f risk presented t them. Emplyee have raised awareness cncerning MSDs risk factrs and early symptm reprting. Emplyees understand and fllw safe systems fr handling/use f lifting equipment. All emplyees receive peridic refresher training. 3
3.2.3 Avidance/Cntrl by ensuring: Engineering cntrls are used t reduce MSD risk wherever reasnably practicable. That during the develpment and installatin f engineering cntrl, raised levels f training is given as a temprary cntrl measure. Tasks are designed apprpriately. That the unit weight f lads required t be manually handled are kept as lw as is reasnably practicable and repetitive activities are kept t a minimum. That apprpriate wrk equipment mechanical aids/mechanisatin are available and that they are used whenever apprpriate. That the layut f wrkplace envirnment is apprpriate fr the tasks being undertaken. Individual capability is cnsidered by bth management and the persn being allcated a manual handling task. 3.2.4 Managing Cases f MSD and Staying Active with Back Pain by ensuring: That management adpts a hlistic apprach t managing back pain by encmpassing wrkplace precautins, encuraging cases t stay active with back pain and by managing cases f MSD. Wrkers are actively invlved in the management f any cases f MSDs. Cases knw the imprtance f reprting symptms early, btaining crrect diagnsis, receiving prper treatment and suitable rehabilitatin. Managers knw when they need t seek prfessinal advice t manage individual cases. The rganisatin has an effective and cmprehensive Managing Sickness Absence and Return t Wrk, (MSARTW) plicy. 4.0 Statement f Intent 4.1 Our schl requires a large percentage f staff t perfrm many different manual handling peratins whilst undertaking their duties. The aim f this plicy is t eliminate the need fr ur emplyees t undertake any hazardus manual handling tasks s far, as is reasnably practicable, in accrdance with current legislatin and t prmte best practice with regard t manual handling tasks. 4.2 The schl is cmmitted t prviding a safe wrking envirnment fr all ur emplyees. This will include the prvisin f safe management systems, equipment and any infrmatin, training and supervisin that is necessary t enable ur emplyees t carry ut their duties in a safe manner. 4.3 Operatins invlving the manual handling f lads will be eliminated s far as is reasnably practicable. Where it is nt reasnably practicable t eliminate manual handling, assessments will be made and actin taken t reduce the risk t the lwest level pssible. Measures t achieve this will include ergnmic design f the wrkplace, peratinal prcedures, training and the prvisin f autmated r mechanical aids. 4.4 Cmmensurate with ur legal duties the training f ur staff in apprpriate mving and handling techniques, the carrying ut f risk assessments, and making suitable equipment available t staff will be given raised pririty. We remind all ur emplyees f their duties under the Manual Handling Operatins Regulatins 1992 t make full and prper use f services prvided. 4
4.5 We will take all reasnable steps t ensure that this Manual Handling Plicy prvides effective supprt t all apprpriate persns wh have cause t wrk within ur rganisatin. Delegatin f this task has been handled thrugh the line management chain, starting with a nminated Gvernr (the Health and Safety Link Gvernr) with verall respnsibility fr managing manual handling risks. Rles and respnsibilities are t be clearly stated in jb descriptins and mnitred thrugh regular appraisal. 4.6 This statement f intent is signed by the Headteacher n behalf f the Schl. The plicy will be maintained n ur plicy database and will be reviewed every 3 years r mre frequently if dictated by any significant change. 4.7 Plicy Review The Trust Bard will review this plicy in line with the prcedure fr plicy review. Date fr Review If n ther reasn fr review, this plicy will be reviewed every three years by the Trustees with the next review being Spring 2020. Signed: Headteacher Date: 5
5.0 Organisatin 5.1 The right rganisatinal cntext is ne that helps staff achieve the cmpetencies they need t fulfil their duties. The flwchart details respnsibilities, accuntability and delegatin functins that help t facilitate the right cntext amng staff fr the implementatin and maintenance f a successful manual handling culture. 6.0 Organisatinal Respnsibilities 6.1 Headteacher: The verall respnsibility lies with the Headteacher by: Ensuring that the Plicy is implemented. Allcating resurces t meet the needs identified. 6.2 Senir Management Team (SMT) and Heads f Department (HODs): Ensure that HODs are aware f their respnsibilities under this Plicy. Identifying training needs fr their teachers/supprt staff. Allwing time fr staff t attend training and t implement specific requirements f this Plicy. C-rdinating the activities f the HODs t ensure c-peratin and cnsistency f apprach in all departments. Ensure that Risk Assessments are reviewed n a regular basis with HODs, apprpriate t the level f risk, when there has been a significant change r when a 6
reprted r suspected injury. Mnitr the implementatin f this Plicy in areas under their cntrl by reference t Risk Assessments cmpleted and training targets achieved. 6.3 Heads f Department HODs will be respnsible fr: Ensuring they are aware f all Manual Handling Operatins with a reasnably freseeable risk f injury undertaken in their Area. Aviding Manual Handling Operatins, which invlve a significant risk f injury t staff s far as is reasnably practicable. Ensuring that Risk Assessments f Manual Handling Operatins are carried ut and recrded by trained assessrs where Manual Handling Operatins cannt be avided. Adpting an ergnmic apprach when cnsidering the inherent risks f the Task, Individual, Lad and Envirnment. Implementing cntrl measures and reducing risk frm Manual Handling Operatins s far as is reasnably practicable fllwing the ergnmic mdel. Mnitring the effectiveness and cmpliance f cntrl measures taken t reduce the risks assciated with the Manual Handling Operatins. Ensuring that Risk Assessments are reviewed n a regular basis, apprpriate t the level f risk, when there has been a significant change r when there is a reprted r suspected injury. Ensuring that staff are prvided with apprpriate training and infrmatin in manual handling risks and the principles f safe handling, in cmpliance with the Training Scheme. Keeping and maintaining training recrds. Maintaining an inventry f mving and handling equipment fr their teaching areas. Liaising with the site team ver servicing, inspectins and repair f manual handling equipment. Cntrlling the mvement f equipment in their Department by regular inventry checks and making sure all equipment is marked and recrding lans frm their Department. Prviding staff with general indicatins r, where applicable, precise infrmatin as t the weight and nature f the lad where the absence may cnstitute a risk. Prviding cpies f Risk Assessments t the Health and Safety C-rdinatr/Back care adviser. Ensuring that nminated Manual Handling Trainers are available and are allcated time t carry ut their rle. Establishing a register f mving and handling aids. Managing Manual Handling Operatins where reasnably practicable t ensure that thrughut the wrking day, staff are managed such that static r pr psture is minimised and users are allwed adequate breaks r changes f activity. Reprting and investigating incidents r injuries assciated with mving and handling, and implementing remedial actin. (Requesting assistance frm the Health and Safety C-rdinatr/Back care adviser where apprpriate). Ensuring that the Manual Handling Plicy is available t all staff. Ensuring that staff are fully aware f the plicy with regard t manual handling activities and fr mnitring gd practice n a day t day basis. Ensuring that the reductin f manual handling risk is implicit in the management f the day t day rutine by planning activities s that the wrklad is spread evenly acrss each shift. Ensuring any emplyee with back pain r any ther physical cnditin which may 7
affect manual handling capability, whether r nt as a result f injury, are referred t the schl persnnel department. Managing nn-attendees n training and staff that becme verdue fr training. 6.4 Emplyees Emplyee general duties impsed by the Health and Safety at Wrk etc. Act 1974 and the Management f Health and Safety at Wrk Regulatins 1999 are highlighted in ur Health and Safety Plicy. Specific duties and respnsibilities under the Manual Handling Regulatins 1992 are detailed belw: Nt t undertake manual handling activity when a reasnably practicable alternative exists. Nt t perfrm any Manual Handling Technique that is recgnised as 'unsafe'. T infrm managers abut any physical cnditin suffered by them which may affect their ability t undertake handling activities. Check equipment befre use - set aside, label and d nt use equipment that is faulty. Reprt injuries, accidents, incidents and near misses invlving handling activities and cmplete Accident/Incident Reprt Frm as necessary. Reprt any prblems r cncerns that they believe may be related t Manual Handling early, either directly t line management r thrugh ther apprpriate channels. Fllw safety prcedures, safe systems f wrk and use clthing and equipment prvided fr the purpses f minimising the risks assciated with handling activities. Seek advice frm their line manager in any situatin where they are unsure f the crrect prcedure t adpt. Failure t cmply with these respnsibilities may lead t disciplinary actin being taken. Mandatry inductin training and updates frm part f the staff' cntractual duties. Any emplyee failing t attend the training at the necessary intervals will be in breach f their cntract f emplyment. Cnsequently, in the event f an accident t themselves r ther staff, cntractrs, visitrs r members f the public they culd be cnsidered t have acted irrespnsibly. 6.5 Heads f Department Appinted as Back Care Champins Implementing the systems detailed in this plicy fr mnitring and analysing safe systems f wrk in their wrk areas. Maintaining and supprting this plicy's cmmunicatins strategy. Attending manual handling meetings and disseminate infrmatin gained t their staff. Help staff t attain safer manual handling within their department. Help their department cmply with and cmplete the rganisatin s audit trail. Help ensure effective departmental risk assessments have been cmpleted with review dates and that these have been fllwed up. Help ensure cmpliance with all manual handling plicies and prcedures by all staff within the department. Supervisin f all staff, including cmpletin f recrds f cmpetence in manual handing fr each staff member. Help staff and supervise lcal perfrmance in the risk assessment prcess. Ensure staff have and supervise lcal perfrmance in equipment prvisin, selectin and usage. Help staff and supervise lcal perfrmance in encuraging staff t care fr their wn 8
musculskeletal health. Supervisin and prblem-slving with individuals and grups within the department. Cmpletin f staff cmpetency recrds and infrmal training sessins. Encurage staff t recgnise their wn limitatins. Ensure that actins identified fllwing risk assessment have been implemented, including review and evaluatin f perfrmance in the lcal area. Maintain clear, legible, recrds f risk assessments within the department, including evaluatin dates, fllw-up and utcme infrmatin. Maintain recrds f bth frmal and infrmal teaching and prblem-slving sessins. 6.6 Site Team S far as is reasnably practicable, maintains machinery t ensure that all equipment (in accrdance with regulatin 5 f PUWER 1998) is, maintained in an efficient state, in efficient wrking rder and in gd repair. Ensure that lifting equipment is thrughly examined at least every six mnths by a cmpetent persn apprved by the Cmpany's insurers. Ntify departmental managers f the results f statutry inspectins carried ut n specific equipment, ie hists and slings. Maintain an inventry f all mechanical manual handling equipment n site. 7.0 Eliminatin f Hazardus Manual Handling Activities The Schl will ensure that peratins which invlve manual handling are eliminated, s far as is reasnably practicable. Measures t achieve this include ergnmic design f the wrkplace and activity, and the prvisin f autmated r mechanical aids such as trlleys. 8.0 Assessment f Risk 8.1 Cmpetent persns will carry ut an assessment f the risks f manual handling activities. Identified risks will be reduced t the lwest level reasnably practicable. Factrs detailed in ur flw charts, ten steps, guidance dcuments and recrds will be used during the assessment prcess. 8.2 Where it is nt reasnably practicable t avid significant manual handling tasks, steps shuld be taken t redesign the wrkplace, change, autmate r mechanise the wrk prcess. When this is nt practical and the risk f injury remains frm a manual handling peratin a specific handling assessment shuld be undertaken. 8.3 The meaning f s far as reasnably practicable is defined as fllws: Balancing the degree f risk against the time, truble, cst and physical difficulty f the measures needed t avid r reduce it. The greater the risk, the mre likely that it is reasnable t g t substantial expense, truble and interventin t reduce it. Hwever, if the risk is small, it wuld nt be cnsidered reasnable t g t great expense. Ultimately, the judgement is an bjective ne based n the health and safety risks and nt the size, r financial psitin f the emplyer. 8.4 Wrkplace risk assessments must be undertaken and significant hazards including manual handling bth f lads and peple identified, they will nt be specific t an individual but will detail hazards t staff in a general frmat. 8.5 Risk assessments are a traceable recrd that detail the cntrl measures that need t 9
be implemented, bth as a reference fr the benefit f the persns wh may be at risk and fr the Health and Safety Executive wh may ask t see them at any time, nt necessarily after an accident. 8.6 Manual handling risk assessments must be kept fr a minimum perid f 6 years after expiry r cnclusin f the task. 9.0 Staff Invlvement 9.1 The Schl believes effective staff invlvement and cnsultatin n health and safety has a psitive impact n bth individual staff and the Schl as a whle. There is a grwing bdy f evidence t supprt this view which shws that staff invlvement helps t reduce wrkplace injuries and ill health, sickness absence, and can increase prductivity and reduce staff turnver. The Schl is t actively prmte the benefits f staff cnsultatin and invlvement in imprving manual handling peratins. Matters n which wrkers shuld be cnsulted n include: any measure at the wrkplace which may substantially affect hw manual handling peratins are undertaken. Fr example, changes in prcedures, equipment r ways f wrking. the emplyer s arrangements fr getting cmpetent peple t help him r her cmply with safe manual handling methds and use f equipment fr mving lads. the infrmatin emplyers must give t emplyees abut manual handling hazards, risks factrs, cntrl and preventative measures; particularly the findings frm any manual handling risk assessment cnducted by the rganisatin. the planning and rganising f manual handling training. the effect intrducing new technlgy may have n manual handling peratins. 10.0 Mnitring Health and Safety Perfrmance It is necessary t ensure that arrangements are cntinually addressing the health & safety needs f the Schl; therefre Senir Management must prvide a mnitring system that addresses the wrk undertaken in their areas f peratin. 10.1 Active Mnitring Arrangements 10.1.1 Regular review f risk assessments and safe systems f wrk shuld be undertaken. Wrkplace Inspectins shuld be a frequent part f a mnitring system and be recrded, it is suggested that Inspectins are held at least six mnthly and mre ften, dependent n the risk invlved. Regular dialgue between safety representatives, emplyees and management shuld take place s issues can be reslved befre they escalate t a serius nature. 10.1.2 Peridic cmparisn f incident and absence statistics, results f emplyee leaver interviews and ccupatinal health recrds are useful in identifying the level f risk t emplyees. Mnitring trends ver a perid f time als prvides an indicatin f hw well the rganisatin is cntrlling risk as part f its business. 10.2 Reactive Mnitring Arrangements 10
10.2.1 Investigatin f incidents is f great imprtance in determining whether cntrl measures are adequate t prevent further r similar injury, therefre emplyees shuld be encuraged t reprt all incidents whether they result in injury r nt (near miss). Musculskeletal disrders are ften a result f pr manual handling practice. 10.2.2 Changes t health and safety legislatin may als require review with resulting change t peratinal plicy and prcedures. 11.0 Risk Assessment Review 11.1 The Schl as a matter f best practice require risk assessments t be reviewed as a minimum n an annual basis. Assessments shuld als be reviewed when there is a significant change in the matter t which it relates r if circumstances r cnditins change eg: The activity r prcess has been altered. The wrking envirnment is different t the riginal assessment. The numbers r abilities f persnnel changes (temp wrkers etc). The nature f the lad(s) t be handled changes. 11.2 Reassessment may als be required where accident/absence statistics shw that the riginal cntrl measures were nt sufficiently effective. This may als be indicated by near miss incidents. 12.0 Training 12.1 Legal and prfessinal requirements fr training The Health and Safety at Wrk etc Act 1974, Part 1, Sectin 2(2)c requires emplyers t prvide; infrmatin, instructin, training and supervisin. The Management f Health and Safety at Wrk Regulatins 1999 (Regulatin 13(2) and (3)) requires emplyers t prvide health and safety training; n recruitment, when risks change, t be repeated peridically as apprpriate, t take place during wrking hurs. Manual Handling Operatins Regulatins 1992 (Regulatin 4 (1)(b) (i), (ii), (iii), Regulatin 5) d nt specify training but this is implicit in sme f its requirements. Emplyees shuld be given infrmatin n: Task, lad, envirnment and individual capability. Recgnitin f risk. Safe wrking systems. Use f equipment. 12.2 Training - planning and recrding There must be a training needs analysis t identify what is required. This may be infrmed by a health and safety audit prcess. This plicy and assciated prcedures need t be in place t prmte best practice. There must be management cmmitment and supprt fr the manual handling plicy and training strategy. The prgramme shuld start with management and must include staff at all levels. Training must be specific t grup needs, and be jb specific accrding t level required. Length f training must be sufficient t encurage and develp a change in knwledge, attitude and skills. Demnstratins alne are nt sufficient. Staff must 11
have sufficient time t practice and develp practical skills under clse supervisin. Feedback must be prvided t management n attendance and ability f delegates t participate and any nging training needs. A strategy fr recall and update training, n at least an annual basis, must be in place. Full recrds f all training must be kept, including. Printed names/signatures f trainer/trainee. Participants jb title/place f wrk. Participants date f birth. Date/place f training. Duratin f sessin. Cntent. Handuts. Full/partial participatin. Refusal/inability t attend. Equipment/aids used. 12.3 Standard elements f the training prgramme Spinal mechanics and functin, the imprtance f back care and psture, risk factrs fr back pain. Current relevant legislatin and prfessinal guidelines where relevant. Assessment f risks addressing: Tasks (including unexpected). The limits f individual s capability (their wn and that f thers). Lads. Envirnment and the imprtance f gd husekeeping. This plicy. The imprtance f ergnmic apprach and the principles f nrmal human mvement. Safe management f lads, use f equipment, and prblem slving. 12