Throughout 2024 each month we are visiting each of our 12 Safety Essentials to remind ourselves of the ways to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe.

The fifth Safety Essential is Manual Handling.

Manual handling is a part of many job roles, but it’s crucial to carry out these tasks safely to prevent lifelong musculoskeletal injuries.

Mechanical aid or a helping hand from a colleague can significantly reduce the risk of harm. It’s not just about lifting with your knees it’s about knowing the maximum safe weight you can handle as well.

Supervisors have a responsibility to assess risks and minimise injury potential by providing clear instructions, training, and mechanical aids where possible.

It’s a team effort to maintain a safe workplace, and every worker must respect the set weight limits for manual handling, utilise the mechanical aids available, seek help when needed, and always use the correct lifting technique.