Regulation 4 of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 directs employers to avoid the need for employees to undertake manual handling which involves a risk of their being injured.

The guidance suggests a preliminary assessment followed by evaluation of whether the task can be eliminated, automated or mechanised.

Where employers cannot avoid the need for for manual handling which involve a risk of injury, they shall -

• make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such manual handling in accordance with a specific schedule.

The duty to assess is substantially aligned with that of a risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. It considers in turn the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability.

• take steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest reasonably practicable.