The Push/Pull Tool
[ch 8: pages 127-129]The Push/Pull tool can be used to analyse tasks that involve pushing or pulling items whether they have been loaded onto a trolley or mechanical aid or are being pushed or pulled across a surface. It works on an assessment of high, medium or low risk rather than a scoring system.
The HSE sets out that while pushing and pulling of loads is a way of avoiding manual lifting and carrying of objects, such as by putting the load on a trolley, there may still be a risk of other MSDs, which need to be considered and eliminated or reduced.
More information on risk assessing tasks that involve pushing or pulling can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/msd/pushpull/index.htm.