WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 5.1
GROUP ONE
HEALTH AND SAFETY
1. What are the weight lifting limits for males and females?
There are no legally binding weight limits.However Regulation 4(1)of the Manual Handling Operations
Regulations 1992 sets safety standards for manual handling.
Your employer must:
• avoid the need for manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable;
• where that is not possible,assess the risk of injury to employees; and
• reduce the risk of injury from manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.
Avoiding the Need for Manual Handling
Your employer must try to eliminate the need for manual lifting.If this is not possible your employer
should consider using mechanical lifting,for example by using a fork lift truck.
Assessing the Risk of Injuries to Employees
Under the 1992 Regulations your employer must carry out a risk assessment.This must take into
account the tasks; the loads involved; the working environment; an individual’s capacity; and whether
movement is hindered by personal protective equipment or clothing.
Reducing the Risk of Injury
Your employer must reduce the risk from lifting as far as is reasonably practicable.This means reducing
the risk until the cost of further precautions–either in time,trouble or money–outweighs the
benefits.Your employer must consider using mechanical aids.Even small measures such as a sack truck
can reduce the risk of injury.
Your employer should also consider training in lifting technique.This should look at:
• how to recognise potentially harmful manual lifts;
• training in good handling technique;
• using mechanical aids;
• how to use any safety systems in place for preventing injury.
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.