The Manual Handling Operations Regulations



The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) apply wherever manual handling operations are carried out — that is physical lifting, carrying or moving any load. There are no maximum weight limits set for loads, although the HSE publishes advice on the sort of weights that are likely to cause injuries. (These can be found in an Appendix to its guidance on the regulations.)



Manual Handling — Manual Handling Operations Regulations 2002 Guidance on Regulations can be found on the HSE website.


Instead of imposing maximum weight limits, the regulations require a risk assessment of the task, load and working environment. Employers are required to avoid hazardous manual handling operations (so far as reasonably practicable) by:



• redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or by automating or mechanising the process;



• making a risk assessment of operations that cannot be avoided;



• reducing the risk of injury to as low as is reasonably practicable, giving particular consideration to providing mechanical assistance; and



• providing training and information for employees, including general indications and, where reasonably practicable, specific information about the load.



Safety reps have a right to information about new processes, including proposed workplace layouts. By being involved at the design stage, they have the chance to eliminate problems before a new machine, process or work system is installed. If manual handling cannot be eliminated, the main aim should be to cut the weight of loads and ensure that they are handled less often.



There may be a few tasks that cannot be altered and involve difficult lifting problems. In these cases, workers who are required to do them should be physically suited and specially trained.



The HSE published new advice on manual handling training in March 2018. It says research has found general training in lifting techniques is an ineffective way of controlling the risks of manual handling in businesses and wants “off-the-shelf” manual handling training to become a thing of the past. It says employers should instead get help to change the way they work and reduce manual handling risks. 


It says simplistic training involving “bending your knees to lift a cardboard box” is a waste of time and money and does not make any difference. Employers should start with avoiding and reducing manual handling if their workforce faces manual handling risks. Rather than starting with training, they should start with reorganising and redesigning working practices. 


If there is a need for staff training for residual risks, the HSE says this should be customised and professionally delivered. It should be based on observations of current working practices and should be informed by the views and experience of the workforce.