Specific Rules for Lifting and Handling
The main regulations are the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, often referred to as the Manual Handling Regulations. These set the minimum legal standards for assessing and controlling manual handling risks.
Other specific rules relate to lifting and handling operations, including those which are mechanically or otherwise assisted. Examples of such rules are:
- the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (see C, Work Equipment), such as regards cranes, lift trucks, vehicle hoists, lifting slings and other devices used in conjunction with manual handling;
- the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (see B, The Workplace), such as regards organisation, layout and condition of premises which can be significant factors in determining how safely things can be carried and moved in the workplace;
- requirements for lifting operations in factories, construction work, shipbuilding, docks and other undertakings (see Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998).
The Need for Good Management
To ensure that legal obligations are met for health and safety risks associated with the workplace it may be necessary to strengthen your systems and procedures for monitoring risks, risk controls and health and safety arrangements. This is because developments in science, technology and management are continually increasing the level of knowledge about hazards and the state of the art for controlling risks.