BSO POLICY FOR
MANUAL HANDLING
Reference No: / BSO 003Version: / DRAFT Version 1
Ratified by:
Date Ratified:
Date Equality Screened: / 10/02/2015
Name of Originator/Author / Bill Harvey
Name of responsible
committee/individual / Bill Harvey
Date of Created / March 2015
Date Issued:
Review date: / March 2017
Target Audience: / All BSO Staff
Distributed Via: / Intranet, Hard Copy
Amended by:
Date amendments approved:
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION...... 3
2. SCOPE...... 3
3. POLICY STATEMENT...... 3
4. DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATION OF TERMS...... 4
5. EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT...... 4
6. DUTIES (ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)...... 4
7. MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT...... 5
8. MANUAL HANDLING TRAINING...... 6
9. SPECIALIST ADVICE...... 7
10. STAKEHOLDERS...... 7
11. REVIEW ARRANGEMENTS...... 7
12. TRAINING / SUPPORT...... 7
13. APPROVAL...... 7
14. REFERENCES (AS EVIDENCE BASE)...... 7
APPENDIX 1……………………………………………………………………………..….8
BSO MANUAL HANDLING POLICY
Introduction
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR 2004) came into force in1993
The Regulations promote the need for an ergonomic approach in assessing all hazardous manual handling operations to determine the risk of injury. The assessment should point the way to correct and safe manual handing
The Standards make specific reference to manual handling risk assessments and training requirements.
In order to achieve compliance to the standards the BSO must demonstrate that appropriate systems are in place, that the BSO monitors the effectiveness of the system and that appropriate changes are made following evaluation and review.
2. Scope
2.1 This policy covers everyone that is employed by the Business Services Organisation whilst in the course of their duties including temporary staff and any visitors to BSO/HSC sites
3. Policy statement
3.1 The BSO recognises the MHOR 1992(2004), and the need to provide a safe working environment, safe systems of work and safe and appropriate equipment for its employees, contractors and visitors as far as is reasonably practicable and it should be noted that this policy is subordinate to the Health & Safety Policy
3.2 BSO will ensure compliance with the standards laid down by the MHOR 1992 (2004) and that all manual handling is carried out safely by the use of correct manual handling assessment and manual handling techniques.
3.3 This policy takes into consideration the legal requirements of:-
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health & Safety at Work (NI) order 1978
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (Amended 2004)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 1998)
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998(LOLER 1998)
Human Rights Act 1998
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations
RIDDOR 1995
4. Definitions and explanation of terms
For the purposes of this policy , the following terms are defined:
Manual Handling: As per the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, manual handling is defined as ‘any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force.’
4.1 Manual handling operations
This means any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or by bodily force. This includes tasks that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, lowering and carrying (MHOR 1992 (2004))
5. Equality impact assessment
5.1. An initial screening equality impact assessment form has been completed for this policy, a copy of which can be found in Appendix 2. The outcome of the initial screening will determine whether a full equality impact assessment will be required.
6. Duties (roles and responsibilities)
6.1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
6.1.1 Shall have overall responsible for the implementation of this policy
6.1.2 Shall be overall accountability for the management of health & safety and will delegate responsibility to ensure that adequate and appropriateresources are made available to ensure that the BSO meets its statutory obligations.
6.2. Line Managers/Department Managers
6.2.1 Shall be responsible for tasks performed by their staff. No employee should be expected to manually handle animate or inanimate loads in circumstances likely to cause harm to themselves or colleagues
6.2.2 Shall ensure that adequate control measures are in place to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury
6.2.3 Shall ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, all manual handling operations that involve the risk of injury are eliminated, automated or mechanized
6.2.4 Shall ensure that generic equipment and inanimate load Risk Assessments have been completed accurately by competent persons. The assessments are to be documented and be available for inspection
6.2.5 Shall ensure that all staff within their responsibility who undertake manual handling activities as part of their job attend manual handling training appropriate to the risk identified in Risk Assessment.
6.2.6 Shall ensure that copies of the manual handling assessments are retained with the Health and Safety folders on site for staff to access
6.2.7 Shall refer risks that cannot be addressed on site to their Senior Manager who will consult with the ASM
6.2.8 Shall provide appropriate equipment for the safe handling of loads
6.2.1 Shall investigate and report all manual handling accidents / incidents and investigated
6.3. Health, Safety & Environmental Management Group
6.3.1 Shall receive reports and analysis of moving and handling incidents/accidents reported through RIDDOR and make further recommendations for action as necessary
6.3.2 Shall ensure the development of any action plans in relation to raising awareness to staff of the process and systems in place for the reporting of incidents
6.3.3 Shall monitor the implementation of any action plans developed
6.4. Learning and Development Officer
6.4.1 Shall maintain electronic records of manual handling training for all staff who undertake manual handling as part of their role
6.4.2 Shall maintain electronic records of manual handling training for all staff who do not undertake manual handling as part of their role which will be logged under the Health and Safety Overview session
6.4.3 Shall alert individuals of when their refresher training is due
6.5. Employees Responsibilities
6.5.1 Shall take reasonable care of their health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
6.5.2 Shall co-operate with their employer and making full and proper use of any equipment provided for them to assist in the safe handling of loads, and agreed safe systems of work
6.5.3 Shall report to their manager any health problems or conditions that may affect their manual handling capabilities
6.5.4 Shall visually check all equipment before use, ensure that it is in a good state of repair and report any defects or problems to their manager
6.5.5 Shall participate in and comply with the undertaking and review of both generic and specific manual handling assessments and for following instruction and guidance where specific risks have been identified
6.5.6 Shall perform a personal risk assessment prior to a handling task undertaken by them and to alert their manager immediately regarding any area of doubt or concern
6.5.7 Shall when sustaining an injury at work through manual handling to inform their manager and complete an incident report form (IRF)
6.5.8 Shall wear suitable work clothing and footwear for manual handling (footwear that offers protection for toes should be worn)
6.5.9 Shall adhere to the BSO’s Manual Handling Policy
6.6. Trade Union/Staff Side Representatives
6.6.1 Shall make representations to the employer on behalf of their members on any health, safety and welfare matter
6.6.2 Shall investigate any potential hazards, complaints by their members to identify the causes of accidents, dangerous occurrences and diseases
6.6.3 Shall participate in any risk assessment process related to the investigation
6.6.4 Shall attend and maintain training appropriate to their role
7. Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Staff are advised that manual handling should be avoided wherever possible and think about the process with a view to eliminating the activity completely, breaking it into smaller chunks or automating it.
7.0.1 Manual handling risk assessments for hazardous moving and handling are to be carried out using the BSO Manual Handling Risk Assessment Form (See Appendix 1) and a copy is to be retained with the Health and Safety Folder on sites.
7.0.2 Risk assessments shall take the following format:
Examination of the moving and handling operations currently undertaken, taking into account the task, load, environment, clothing and individual capability
The completed risk assessment shall highlight any likely risks of injury that may be present Measures necessary to reduce the risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level shall be identified, with subsequent recommendations made regarding implementation within an action plan .The risk assessment will be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in the task, staff, load, environment or equipment.
7.0.3 Risk assessments should be conducted and completed as quickly as is reasonably practicable
8. Manual Handling Training
8.1 Staff Members who undertake manual handling as part of their role
8.1.1 Manual Handling Training will provided to all employees who are required to undertake manual handling as part of their role
8.1.2 The training will be provided by either an internal/external health or safety training provider who will provide awareness of the risks of manual handling as well as training on practical lifting using the “Kinetic Method”
8.1.3 Any staff member expected to undertake manual handling after practical training is required to re-attend the training every three years
8.1.4 An electronic record of this training will be maintained by the Learning and Development Team, who will alert individuals of when their refreshers training is due
8.2 Staff Members who do not undertake manual handling as part of their role
8.2.1 Those staff members who do not undertake manual handling will receive a brief awareness session during their induction to BSO, however it is stipulated that unless you have specific practical training, staff members are not permitted to undertake any manual handling of items of 5kg’s and above or are not physically manual handle any loads based on a personal assessment
8.2.2 An electronic record of training will be maintained by the Learning and Development Team, which falls under the Health and Safety Overview session
9. Specialist Advice
9.0.1 Any staff member who is required to undertake manual handling as part of their role, but feels that even with training that the activity would pose an issue for them, should speak to their line manager, who will arrange a referral to BSO’s Occupational Health Service for further assessment, advice and guidance
10. Stakeholders
10.1 Whilst this policy applies to all staff within the BSO and has consulted on the key stakeholders in the development and approval of this policy are the:
Health, Safety & Environment Group
11. Review arrangements
11.1 Procedural documents will be reviewed by the procedural document owner within 2 years of approval. However, a review earlier than this may be prompted by factors including:
Legislative or regulatory changes
Structural or role changes
Operational or technological changes
Changes in the evidence-base
Organisational learning
Audits and reviews of the effectiveness of the policy
12. Training / support
12.1 All staff will receive awareness of this policy through their Health and Safety induction and mandatory training updates, relevant training and support material will be provided by designated staff
12.2 Should anyone require support, advice or guidance on any element outlines in this policy they should speak to their line manager, Administrative Services Manager or Trade Union Representative
13. Approval
13.1 Approved by the BSO Health, Safety and Environment Group
14. References (as evidence base)
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999
1 | Page
Appendix 1
Assessment carried out by: / Manual Handling Activity:Job Title: / Date of Assessment:
Call Centre: / Review Date:
Does the task involve……?
Stooping / Strenuous pulling / Large Vertical Movements
Bending / Repetitive Handling / Frequent prolonged effort
Twisting / Little Rest/ Recovery / Other: (list below)
Long distance travel / Work Pacing
Holding away from the body / Reaching Upwards
Strenuous pushing / High initial effort
Is/Does the individual…..?
Require unusual strength / Need general information and training / Other: (list below)
Have a health problem / Need particular information and training
Pregnant(refer to New and Expectant Mothers Risk Assessment) / Medical condition
A young person 16-17 (refer to young persons
Risk Assessment) / Restrictive Clothing and PPE
Is the load…..?
Heavy / Heavy at one end / Other: (list below)
Bulky / Rough Surfaces
Hot/ Cold / Difficult to see over
Contents liable to move/ shift / Contain Hazardous substances
Difficult to grasp / Open container
Unstable/ Unpredictable (people/animals)
Is/ Does the environment….?
Hot/ Humid / Varying Floor Levels / Other: (list below)
Cold / Floor in poor condition
Windy / Cramped
Poor Lighting / Slippery Floor
Steps/ Stairs / Obstructions
Difficult Storage Conditions / Make it difficult to adopt a good posture
Manual Handling Activity/Task
Complete the relevant details of the activity being assessed
Significant Handling Hazards
All Hazards associated to the activity should be entered here: task, individual, load and environment
Those at risk
E.g staff, public and others
Current Control Measures
List current control measures
With these controls the risk is (circle) / Unacceptable / Further Controls Required / Adequately controlled
Further Control Measures Required
List further action needed to adequately control risks
Action Required / Date of Completion / By Whom
Assessor Name:
Signature:
Date:
Appendix 2
SCREENING TEMPLATE
See Guidance Notes for further information on the ‘why’ ‘what’ ‘when’, and ‘who’ in relation to screening, for background information on the relevant legislation and for help in answering the questions on this template.
(1)INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICY OR DECISION
1.1Title of policy or decisionIncident Reporting Policy
1.2Description of policy or decision
- What is it trying to achieve?
- How will this be achieved?
- What are the key constraints?
1.3Main stakeholders affected (internal and external)
Staff, Board Members, actual or potential service users, contractors other public organisations, voluntary and community groups, trade unions or professional organisations or private sector organisations or general public. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, it aims to capture the most applicable groups. It is recognised that there are those with specific needs and the organisation will take reasonable steps to assist those identified.
1.4Other policies or decisions with a bearing on this policy or decision
This policy takes into consideration the legal requirements of:-
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (Amended 2004)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 1998)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998(LOLER 1998)
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
Human Rights Act 1998
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Discussions have also taken place with Staff, Equality Unit, Monitoring Data and Good practice
(2)CONSIDERATION OF EQUALITY AND GOOD RELATIONS ISSUES AND EVIDENCE USED
2.1Data gathering
What information did you use to inform this equality screening? For example previous consultations, statistics, research, Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs), complaints. Provide details of how you involved stakeholders, views of colleagues, service users, staff side or other stakeholders.
2.2Quantitative Data
Who is affected by the policy or decision? Please provide a statistical profile. Note if policy affects both staff and service users, please provide profile for both. Also give consideration to multiple identities.
Category / What is the makeup of the affected group? ( %) Are there any issues or problems? For example, a lower uptake that needs to be addressed or greater involvement of a particular group?Gender / The proportion of females in 2011 is 51.00% (923, 540). The male population is 49.00% (887, 323) in 2011
The BSO presently 1103 employees of which there are 505 male and 598 female
Age / On Census day (27 March 2011) 1,810,900 people were resident in Northern Ireland. This equates to a 7% increase over the last 10 years. NISRA underlines that this is the highest ever recorded population in Northern Ireland.
The age structure of the population has changed markedly since the 2001 Census.
• Overall, the share of 0-39 year olds has decreased whereas those of people aged 40 years and over has increased.
• The population of people aged 65 and over has grown by 18%. This increase is largely due to the increase of the most elderly population: the group of those aged 85 and over has grown by 35%.
• In marked contrast, the number of children has decreased by 5%.
- 0 – 15 – 20.95% (379, 378)
- 16 – 19 – 5.61% (101, 589)
- 20 – 24 – 6.96% (126, 036)
- 25 – 29 – 6.85% (124, 044)
- 30 – 44 – 20.65% (373, 943)
- 45 – 59 – 19.21% 347, 867)
- 60 – 64 – 5.21% (94, 346)
- 65 – 74 – 8.04% (145, 593)
- 75 – 84 – 4.79% (86, 740)
- 85 – 89 – 1.17% (21, 187)
Total 1,810,900.
The BSO workforce comprises of
- 24 and under
- 25-34
- 35-44
- 45-54
- 55-64
- 65 and over
- Total
Religion / Religion or Religion brought up in
- 45.14% (817, 424) of the population were either Catholic or brought up as Catholic.
- 48.36% (875, 733) stated that they were Protestant or brought up as Protestant.
- 0.92% (16, 660) of the population belonged to or had been brought up in other religions and Philosophies.
- 5.59% (101, 227) neither belonged to, nor had been brought up in a religion.
Presbyterian Church in Ireland 19.06% (345, 150)
Church of Ireland 13.74% (248, 813)
Methodist Church in Ireland 3% (54, 326)
Other Christian(including Christian related) 5.76% (104, 308)
Other religions 0.82% (14, 849)
No religion 10.11% (183, 078)
Did not state religion 6.75% (122, 233
No recent specific data on minority religions is available
The BSO workforce:
Protestant Community / 486
Roman Catholic Community / 610
Not Known / 7
Total / 1103
Political Opinion / Nationality
- British only – 39.89% (722, 353)
- Irish only – 25.26% (457, 424)
- Northern Irish only – 20.94% (379, 195)
- British and Northern Irish only – 6.17% (111, 730)
- Irish and Northern Irish only – 1.06% (19, 195)
- British, Irish and Northern Irish – 1.02% (1847)
- British and Irish only – 0.66% (11, 952)
- Other – 5.00% (90, 543)
Marital Status /
- 47.56% (680, 840) of those aged 16 or over were married
- 36.14% (517, 359) were single
- 0.09% (1288) were registered in same-sex civil partnerships
- 9.43% (134, 994) were either divorced, separated or formerly in a same-sex partnership
- 6.78% (97, 058) were either widowed or a surviving partner
- Married/CP
- Divorced/Separated
- Single
- Unknown
- Widow/er
- Other
- Total
Dependent Status / Based on the most recent information from Carers Northern
- 11.81% (213, 863) of the usually resident population provide unpaid care to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long-term physical or mental ill – health/disabilities or problems related to old age.
- 3.11% (56, 318) provided 50 hours care or more.
- 33.86% (238, 129) of households contained dependent children.
- 40.29% (283, 350) contained a least one person with a long – term health problem or a disability
Disability /
- 20.69% (374, 668) regard themselves as having a disability or long-term health problem, which has an impact on their day to day activities.
- 68.57% (1, 241709) of residents did not have long-term health condition.
- Deafness or partial hearing loss – 5.14% (93, 078)
- Blindness or partial sight loss – 1.7% (30, 785)
- Communication Difficulty – 1.65% (29, 879)
- Mobility of Dexterity Difficulty – 11.44% (207, 163)
- A learning, intellectual, social or behavioural difficulty. 2.22% (40, 201)
- An emotional, psychological - 5.83% (105, 573) or mental health condition
- Long – term pain or discomfort – 10.10% (182, 897)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing – 8.72% (157, 907)
- Frequent confusion or memory loss – 1.97% (35, 674)
- A chronic illness (such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy) – 6.55% (118, 612)
- Other condition – 5.22% (94, 527)
- No Condition – 68.57% (1, 241, 709)
Ethnicity / 1.8% 32,596 of the usual resident population belonged to minority ethnic groups,
White – 98.21% (1, 778, 449)
Chinese – 0.35% (6, 338)
Irish Traveller – 0.07% (1, 268)
Indian – 0.34% (6, 157)
Pakistani – 0.06% (1, 087)
Bangladeshi – 0.03% (543)
Other Asian – 0.28% (5, 070)
Black Caribbean – 0.02% (362)
Black African – 0.13% (2354)
Black Other – 0.05% (905)
Mixed – 0.33% (5976)
Other – 0.13% (2354)
Language (Spoken by those aged 3 and over);
English – 96.86% (1, 681, 210)
Polish – 1.02%(17, 704)
Lithuanian – 0.36% (6, 249)
Irish (Gaelic) – 0.24% (4, 166)
Portuguese – 0.13% (2, 256)
Slovak – 0.13% (2, 256)
Chinese – 0.13% (2, 256)
Tagalog/Filipino – 0.11% (1, 909)
Latvian – 0.07% (1, 215)
Russian – 0.07% (1, 215)
Hungarian – 0.06% (1, 041)
Other – 0.75% (13, 018)
Sexual Orientation / Whilst there are no accurate statistics on sexual orientation in the community as a whole, it is estimated that between 5% and 10% of people are from lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender groups.
2.3Qualitative Data