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