| Thirty percent of reported accidents are manual | | | | To assess manual handling risks, certain tools |
| handling accidents. These accidents include | | | | were developed and factors were considered. |
| transporting and supporting of loads, awkward | | | | These factors include tasks, worker, load and |
| positioning, and unstable materials that are difficult | | | | environment. Assessment should be |
| to hold. It rarely results to death, but accidents | | | | comprehensive and consistent. |
| like this can end up to major injuries such as | | | | Some heavy equipments and tools are advisable |
| fractured back or arm. It also results to damage | | | | because it is safer and can decrease the |
| and loss of construction materials. | | | | company's cost due to accidents. Sites or |
| Back sprain or strain, which can lead to chronic | | | | workplace must be well lit and clean. It should be |
| conditions, is the most common injury. Others | | | | free from waste, hazardous materials and |
| include muscular spasms and strains, abrasions and | | | | obstructions. Everybody should observe good |
| cuts. | | | | housekeeping. Performance and safety kits and |
| In 1974, the Health and Safety at Work act was | | | | devices should be well monitored. Everyone must |
| implemented and required employers to apply | | | | comply with the control measures and all activities |
| safety measures. And because of the increasing | | | | should be carefully planned. |
| risk of injury, the Manual Handling Operations | | | | There is also the Manual Handling Assessment |
| Regulations 1992 was imposed and pointed out | | | | Chart (MAC) Tool, which was developed so that |
| that if employers cannot eliminate manual lifting | | | | workers will be able to identify high risk |
| they must at least find a way to reduce it. These | | | | workplace. Also, this tool is designed to assess |
| accidents were also investigated. | | | | the risk factors caused by lifting, carrying and |
| The elimination of risk of such accident lies in the | | | | team handling activities. It aims to help workers |
| employers and manual handling risk assessment | | | | and employers to interpret and understand the |
| tools. | | | | risks, and to categories them according to certain |
| The directors should take the responsibility of | | | | levels. |
| training and educating his subordinates, as well as | | | | Manual handling accidents not only cause physical |
| appointing people to take care of a certain area. | | | | damages to human, it can also cause loss of |
| Employers should comply with the guidance on | | | | money, work delays and risks the reputation of |
| regulations regarding manual handling operations. | | | | the company. A complete application of safety |
| This regulation was revised to update workers | | | | rules and good management will result to |
| and employers with the improvements of | | | | effective and productive work environment. |
| knowledge and avoidance of risk of injuries. | | | | |