HSE targets manual handling
21 August 2023
From September, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be making site inspections across Great Britain to focus on moving and handling construction materials correctly.
The inspections will check that employers and workers understand the risks, plan their work and are using sensible control measures to protect workers from injuries, as well as pain and discomfort in joints, muscles and bones known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
These injuries can have a serious impact on workers’ ability to perform tasks, their quality of life and, in some cases, their ability to stay in work and earn a living.
In the government’s Labour Force Survey (LFS) for 2019/20-2021/22, an estimated 42,000 construction workers reported suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.
Employers are required to provide their employees with health and safety information and training, including specific information and training on manual handling injury risks.
The inspection initiative is supported by the Work Right Construction: Your Health Your Future campaign which has assembled a range of advice and information resources that can be downloaded free.
Photo shows Altrad Belle’s BMD300 mini dumper with flatbed attachment for moving materials.
