Manual Handling Injury at Work

The Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992 governs both the employer and employees duty to prevent a manual handling or lifting accident. You are entitled to claim compensation if your employer or a coworker fails in their duty and you suffer an injury.

Duties of the Employer

The MHOR 1992 imposes a number of duties on your employer to prevent the risk of injury. The duties are as follows:-

Carry out a risk assessment to identify, adjust and eliminate the risks associated with manual handling and lifting practices;
Restrict or completely abolish manual handling at the workplace wherever possible;
Take administrative steps where complete elimination of manual handling is not possible.

These steps could include giving the task of lifting heavy objects to more than one person, reducing the load a single person has to lift or move.;

Compact or modify the structure of the item;
Provide information and training to the employees about manual handling and safe lifting practices;
Provide equipment to lift and transfer loads such as conveyors, lifts, transferring carts and lifting trucks;
Ensure walkways are kept clear;
Identify and minimize manual handling/lifting which is not necessary.

Duties of the Employees

Employees should also follow safety guidelines to reduce the chance of manual handling accidents such as:-

Follow all health and safety procedures identified by their employers;
Utilize any lifting equipment provided to them;
Inform their employers or supervisor about any potential lifting or manual handling risks;
Carry or move items within their capabilities;
Make sure they do not cause any risk of injury to the others.

If your manual handling or lifting injury was caused due to any of the reasons listed above you could be able to pursue a claim for compensation.

Can I Claim For AManual Handling Injury at Work

Listed below are examples of when you could claim compensation as a result of a manual handling or lifting injury.

If you were not provided with training in relation to appropriate manual handling and lifting technique,
If your employer fails to provide equipment or tools to facilitate the lifting of heavy items,
If your employer fails to provide you with personal protective equipment which will reduce or eliminate the risk of injury,
If your coworkers fail to prevent you from suffering alifting/handling injury your employer will be held to be responsible,
If employer failed to provide a safe working environment and good housekeeping at workplace,
If you are doing the work of two people

Entitlement to Compensations

If you have suffered an injury due to manual handling or lifting which was not your fault then you are entitled to compensation. You can claim for:-

physical injury, pain and suffering,
Psychological stress,
Financial losses,
Loss of current and future income,
Treatment costs, medical bills and medication,
All other losses caused by your accident.

If you or a family member have suffered a handling or lifting injury then start your compensation claim by contacting us on 08000 430 430 or complete our enquiry form to request a call back.

Manual Handling Injury at Work