Health and Safety | Safe Handling
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The Facts
- Over 400,000 people suffer from back pain caused or made worse by work
- 4,000,000 working days are lost each year to back pain caused or made worse by work
- 5,000,000 people consult GP's about backs every year
- 63% of back injuries are caused by manual handling
- 44% of handling injuries are back related
- 38% of all 'over - 3 day' injuries are back related
Source: RIDDOR, HSE - SW1
More than half of all work days lost to work-related health problems involve injured muscle, bone or connecting tissue, collectively known as musculorskeletal disorders (MSD). "MSD is the greatest health and safety challenge for Europe". Over 40 million EU workers are affected by MSD. These injuries (accidents not included) cost employers over €385 million or between 0.5% and 2% of the Gross National Product,"a significant burden on the EU economy".
Source: EU reports on Health and Safety in Europe.
The benefits of safe and efficient handling
- Reduces injury and accidents
- Makes the working day easier
- Improves productivity and efficiency
- Reduces lost man days
- Saves time and money
- Improves quality of life
- Meets social and corporate responsabilities
- Helps dischscharge legal responsibility
- Enhances employer / employee relations
Who is affected
Manual handling injury can happen to anyone, anywhere and in any type of job because most of us will need to move a heavy or awkward object at some time. It could be in the workshop moving an MDF panel or moving a loaded pallet on site. However, in all case a few seconds of thought to consider the approach to the manouvre could prevent a serious manual handling injury
Our advice to you
In line with the updated Health & Safety Executive campaign to reduce workplace related back injury risks, Panelmate Handling Ltd would like to offer you the benefit of their experience.
The HSE offer a range of free services and also fact sheets and wall charts via their own web site - www.hse.gov.uk The wall charts and fact sheets can be purchased thought the HSE web site.
Panelmate Handling sell a range of products designed to reduce manual handling and improve workplace efficiency and safety.
Panelmate Handling Ltd is not endorsed by the HSE and although we follow guidelines laid out by that government department and all of our products meet c
urrent legislati on, we would like to make it clear that this is a sales tool for our company.
Manual handling risk assessment tools
The HSE have developed a number of manual handling risk assessment tools that can help employers to assess their own manual handling operations. It is important that employers identify high risk operations before deciding on what the most appropriate control solutions should be.
Guidance and advice links
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHO)
Moving and Handling Legislation
Easy steps to control health risks from chemicals
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health - COSHH
A guide to risk assessment requirements
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as ammended)
Business to Business Directory – Online B2B directory for the UK
B2B Index - Online directory of B2B companies
Training Organisations
www.nltg.co.uk - The North Lancs Training Group
www.shopfitters.org - Shopfitting Independant Training Forum
www.accessplatforms.co.uk - Work at height training
The cost of a claim
Over the last two years there has been a move across a wide cross section of industry to reduce or eliminate the need for manual handling. What factors lie behind this?
According to HSE figures, manual handling is responsible for more than a third of all injuries resulting in three or more days absence - and costs UK employers £335,000,000.
However, the demand for systems that can reduce or replace manual handling, has been driven sharply in recent months by an increased awareness of employees' rights. Behind this, to a significant degree, is the apparent upsurge in TV advertising for "low cost claims". It has never been easier to make a compensation claim.
Bear in mind that a single major injury can generate costs of £1000's - and when you factor in the compensation, typically £6,000 for a torn ligament adressing health and safet issues makes financial sense.