Management of
Manual
Handling in
Construction
Presented by Dave Carney
(Information sourced from HSE)
What are Musculoskeletal Disorders?
Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are
injuries and disorders that affect the human
body's movement or musculoskeletal system
(i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs,
blood vessels, etc.).
The age old question!
What is the maximum weight an employee is allowed to lift
according the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?
Answer – 25KG
Answer – 20KG
Answer – There is no maximum weight stated in the regulations
The Regulations require employers to:
■ avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, ‘so far as
is reasonably practicable’;
■ assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual
handling that can’t be avoided;
■ reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling,
‘so far as is reasonably practicable’.
Reasonably practicable?
‘Reasonably practicable’ means balancing the level of risk
against the measures needed to control the real risk in
terms of money, time or trouble. However, you do not
need to take action if it would be grossly disproportionate
to the level of risk.
What can be done to help prevent manual handling
injuries?
Answer:
In simple terms, the main thing is a risk assessment, though
there are other considerations:
• Firstly, does the load need to be moved at all?
• If so, can it be moved mechanically?
• Can it be moved using a handling aid, such as a pallet truck,
an electric or hand-powered hoist, or a conveyor?
• Specify blocks less than 20kg
• Deliver close to the point of use and keep dry
• Prevent work above shoulder height or at feet level
• Adjust scaffold height and use spot boards.
Block laying - general
Common Board Weights
Size Type Weight
12.5mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Wallboard
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Fireline
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Fireline
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Soundbloc
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Soundbloc
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Duraline
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Duraline
Common Board Weights
Size Type Weight
12.5mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Wallboard 23kg
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Fireline 34kg
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Fireline 42kg
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Soundbloc 36kg
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Soundbloc 45kg
15mm x 1.2 x 2.4m Duraline 40kg
15mm x 1.2 x 3.0m Duraline 50kg
MH Training (Source HSE L23 Guidance)
• In determining the appropriate steps to reduce risk regard
shall be had in particular to knowledge & training.
• The HSW Act and Management Regulations require you to
provide your employees with health and safety information
and training.
MH Training Courses
Such information is likely to include advice on:
■ manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur;
■ how to carry out safe manual handling, including good handling
technique;
■ appropriate systems of work for the individual’s task and
environment;
■ safe use of lifting and handling aids;
■ practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything
the trainee is not doing safely.
Summary
Remember it’s the duty of the Employer to consider the
risk of injury to an Employee.
A Safe System of Work must always be established.
Just leaving it for the Employee to struggle is not
acceptable.