manual handling. employees
Any manual handling task or risk assessment should take into account the effect on the people actually doing the job. The following items are all factors:
- Gender. It's a fact that females tend to be weaker than males. There are some exceptions of course but generally speaking women have about two thirds the strength of men. (With apologies to the PC brigade)
- Pregnancy. Manual handling duties should be limited or eliminated for ladies during the last three months of pregnancy or the first three months after the birth.
- Age is obviously a factor. People do not reach their maximum strength generally until twenty five years of age and they start to lose it when over fifty.
- Body build. It's hardly worth saying but a big, muscular man is likely to be able to lift heavier loads in safety than a tiny person although it doesn't mean the large person is immune from bad backs.
- Physical fitness. It's quite obvious that people who keep themselves fit by going to the gym etc will be better equipped to handle heavy loads than those who lead a more lethargic life.
- Knowledge. This is all about training and those persons who need to know correct manual handling techniques should be taught them by their employers.
- Fatigue, tiredness or illness will affect a person's ability to perform manual handling techniques. Persons who are sick or injured should make their supervisor aware of the fact.