WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
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SECTION 5.1<br />
GROUP ONE<br />
HEALTH AND SAFETY<br />
1. What are the weight lifting limits for males and females?<br />
There are no legally binding weight limits.However Regulation 4(1)of the Manual Handling Operations<br />
Regulations 1992 sets safety standards for manual handling.<br />
Your employer must:<br />
• avoid the need for manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable;<br />
• where that is not possible,assess the risk of injury to employees; and<br />
• reduce the risk of injury from manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.<br />
Avoiding the Need for Manual Handling<br />
Your employer must try to eliminate the need for manual lifting.If this is not possible your employer<br />
should consider using mechanical lifting,for example by using a fork lift truck.<br />
Assessing the Risk of Injuries to Employees<br />
Under the 1992 Regulations your employer must carry out a risk assessment.This must take into<br />
account the tasks; the loads involved; the working environment; an individual’s capacity; and whether<br />
movement is hindered by personal protective equipment or clothing.<br />
Reducing the Risk of Injury<br />
Your employer must reduce the risk from lifting as far as is reasonably practicable.This means reducing<br />
the risk until the cost of further precautions–either in time,trouble or money–outweighs the<br />
benefits.Your employer must consider using mechanical aids.Even small measures such as a sack truck<br />
can reduce the risk of injury.<br />
Your employer should also consider training in lifting technique.This should look at:<br />
• how to recognise potentially harmful manual lifts;<br />
• training in good handling technique;<br />
• using mechanical aids;<br />
• how to use any safety systems in place for preventing injury.<br />
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.<br />
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.