Manual Handling Risk Assessment Form
Location: Section: Project leader: Task assessed: Staff involved: Experience of personnel in task: (delete as applicable) Assessment carried out by: Date: Signed: Delete as applicable YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO Extensive Moderate Minimal
PART A: THE WORKPLACE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Is the space sufficient to allow safe lifting techniques? Are there slipping or tripping hazards present in the workplace? Is the lighting adequate to allow good visibility for work carried out? PART B: THE TASK Description of task: Is lifting: In a flat plane? From trunk to head? Above the head? In seated position? Combination of movements? Repetitive? Does it involve: Change of grip? Twisting of the trunk? Stooping? Jerking or sudden movement? Frequent or sudden movement? Prolonged effort? Reaching away from the trunk? PART C: MOVEMENT Frequency of movement (number of times per minute)? Please specify: Does handling involve carrying? If yes what is the carrying distance in metres? Does the handling involve: Pushing? Welding? Is the workplace dictated by process or other controlling factor? Are rest allowances a feature of the work pattern?
YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO
YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO
PART D: THE LOAD Maximum weight of load handled (kg): Size of load: x x (mm) Can load be easily controlled whilst being handled? Is visibility impaired by the load? Is the load stable? Are contents liable to shift whilst being handled? Are there any sharp edges? If load is dropped, will any other hazard be created e.g. chemical, dust etc? If yes please describe:
Delete as applicable
YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO
PART E: THE OPERATORS Groups at risk (employees and others): Special risk groups (young persons, disabled etc): Does the work involve team work? If yes, what is the size of the team? Does the work: Require unusual strength? Create hazards for those with health problems? Require special training? Involve the use of protective clothing? Create the potential for injury to others? PART F: MECHANICAL OR OTHER HANDLING AIDS List any aids provided to assist workers with the task:
YES/NO
YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO
Other existing precautions:
PART G: RISK EVALUATION Risk assessed as: (delete as applicable) High Medium Low PART H: ACTION PROGRAMME Major risk factors identified:
Additional precautions required and other recommendations:
Actions required:
Who informed:
Date of next assessment:
Deciding the level of risk will inevitably call for judgement. This table can be used as guidance in making these decisions when completing the risk assessment form. Questions to consider: LOW The tasks - do they involve: Holding loads away from trunk? Twisting? Stooping? Reaching upwards? Large vertical movement? Long carrying distance? Strenuous pushing or pulling? Unpredictable movement of loads? Repetitive handling? Insufficient rest or recovery? A work-rate imposed by process? The loads- are they: Heavy? (Indicate weight in kg) Bulky/unwieldy? Difficult to grasp? Load moved in box zone closest to body Up to 45o Slightly Shoulder height Less than 1m Up to 10m < 25kg starting force 10kg maintenance force Rarely shifts when moved 1-4 operations per day Rarely Rarely
Level of risk.
MEDIUM Load moved in box zone furthest from body 45-90o To knee level Head height 1 - 2m 10-20m 25-50kg starting force - 1020kg maintenance force Will often shift 5-10 operations per min Occasionally Occasionally HIGH Load moved outside box zones Over 90o To floor level Above head height More than 2m More than 20m > 50kg starting force -20kg maintenance force Always shifts More 10 operations per min Always Always
Up to figure in guidelines
Sometimes in excess of guidelines Awkward to handle. Grip is difficult to maintain Occasionally Exposure not easily avoidable Moderate interference Moderate unevenness, low grip or noteworthy obstructions Load moved 1-2m vertically Occasionally Occasionally
Not easily handled. Grip is not easily maintained Rarely Unstable/unpredictable? Exposure to harmful Intrinsically harmful (e.g. characteristic generally sharp/hot?) avoidable The working environment - are there: Minimal interference Constraints on posture? with normal movement Some unevenness or Poor condition floors? obstruction Variations in levels? Load moved <1m vertically Rarely Rarely
Always significantly in excess of guidelines (i.e. more than double) Difficult to handle. Great difficulty in maintaining grip Always Exposure unavoidable
Significant interference Dangerously uneven floor, very low grip & highly obstructed Load moved more than 2m Always Always
Hot/cold/humid conditions? Strong air movements? Poor lighting conditions? Individual capability - does the job: Most people can carry Require unusual capabilities? out the operation Possibly Present higher risks to those with a health problem? Possibly As above for those who are pregnant? Call for special information and Would be beneficial, but not essential training? Other factors Is movement or posture Rarely hindered by clothing or personal protective equipment?
Only certain people can carry out the operation Likely Likely Considered necessary
A minority of people can carry out the operation Certainly Certainly Essential to carry out operation
Occasionally
Certainly
