Page 2 of 3 Assessments should be conducted prior to lifting and handling taking place. Further guidance on the risk assessment process can be found in the ‘guidance on manual handling risk assessment’ and the ‘manual handling risk assessment form’ available via the HR Manager. Most assessments will require just a few minutes observation to identify ways to make an activity easier and less risky, i.e. less physically demanding. In doing so they will also identify any existing controls and whether these are adequate. Ensure that staff undertaking manual handling activities are involved in the risk assessment process. From the information gathered from the assessment, reduce the risk of injury Take such action as is identified to be necessary from the risk assessment. This will include: The provision of information, instruction and training to those required to undertake manual handling tasks. The provision of such equipment (e.g. sack truck) as may be identified to be necessary to reduce the risk of injury, so far as that is reasonably practicable. Ensuring that ‘safe systems of work’ are in place. Review the assessment and revise it if necessary Having implemented the controls, ensure that they are periodically reviewed and revised. 4. DUTIES OF LINE MANAGERS 4.1 To secure the health and safety of staff with regard to manual handling operations, line managers should ensure that, for work under their control: Manual handling operations which present a risk of injury are identified. Handling operations which present a risk of injury are avoided, so far as is reasonably practicable, by eliminating the need for the load to be moved or by the introduction of automation or mechanisation. Those operations which cannot be avoided are assessed using an ergonomic approach which considers the task, the load, the environment and individual capability to determine the level of risk. The assessment should be recorded to show that it has taken place and to allow for easy review if circumstances change. Measures required to eliminate the risk, or reduce it to the lowest level which is reasonably practicable, are identified from the information in the risk assessment and are used to implement a safe system of work. All new work which might involve manual handling operations is assessed and safe systems of work are implemented before the work commences. Bi-annual reviews of assessments are made to ensure that they are still valid but re-assessment is carried out immediately if any of the components of the work situation have changed. Incidents which result in musculoskeletal injury to staff are fully investigated and risk assessments and systems of work are reviewed in the light of such incidents. Suitable information, training and supervision is provided for all employees engaged in manual handling tasks and that such training is recorded, monitored, evaluated and reviewed.