Quick answer: A manual handling risk assessment is a check an employer carries out before staff lift, carry, push or pull loads at work. It looks at the load, the effort needed, the work area, the activity and the person doing it, then puts steps in place to reduce the risk of injury. WorkSafe Ireland teaches manual handling risk assessment as part of its 3-hour Manual Handling course in Tallaght, Dublin 24 and Gorey, Co. Wexford, and on-site for employer groups.
What is a manual handling risk assessment?
A manual handling risk assessment is a written look at a lifting or carrying task before it is done. It asks whether the task can be avoided. If it can’t, it asks what could cause an injury and what will be changed to make it safer, for example a lighter load, a handling aid, more space or a second person.
In Ireland, this duty comes from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Schedule 3 of those Regulations lists the risk factors an assessment must consider. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) publishes guidance on manual handling for employers.
The five risk factors in Irish law
| # | Risk factor (Schedule 3) | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Characteristics of the load | Is it heavy, large, awkward to grip, unstable, or are its contents likely to shift? |
| 2 | Physical effort required | Does it need twisting, a jerky movement, or holding the body in an unstable position? |
| 3 | Working environment | Is there enough room? Are floors level, dry and clear? Is the lighting and temperature suitable? |
| 4 | Requirements of the activity | Is the effort too frequent or prolonged? Is there enough rest or recovery time? Is the pace set by a process? |
| 5 | Individual risk factors | Is the person physically suited to the task? Are their clothing and footwear suitable? Have they had adequate training? |
When should manual handling risk assessments be carried out?
Before the task is first done, and again whenever something changes — a new load, new equipment, a new work area, a new person, or after an incident or near miss. Keep the assessment with your safety statement so you can show it to staff and to an HSA inspector.
How WorkSafe uses your risk assessments on the course
WorkSafe Ireland asks employers to provide their manual handling risk assessments in advance of training where possible. The tutor then builds the practical exercises around the real tasks your staff do. It also helps if attendees bring materials they handle at work, in their work vehicle, so they can practise on the real thing.
What the WorkSafe Manual Handling course covers
This is the syllabus published by WorkSafe Ireland:
- Statistics and evolution of manual handling
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 — employer and employee duties, consultation, the HSA
- General Application Regulations 2007–2020
- Manual handling risk assessments
- Anatomy of the spine and musculoskeletal system
- Posture, top-heavy bending and back care
- Principles of safe lifting (kinetic method)
- Practical demonstration by the tutor
- Practical exercises based on risk assessments
- Team lifting and fitness for work
The course mixes theory and practical work. Learning is confirmed by written questions and observation. Everyone who completes it receives a certificate of attendance, valid for three years in keeping with HSA guidelines on training.
Who should attend?
WorkSafe’s course is suitable for any employee whose work involves occasional or regular lifting and moving of loads of any description, by hand or with a mechanical aid. The course is interactive and needs a degree of physical fitness and mobility. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, plus any safety clothing supplied for your work.
Where WorkSafe runs the course
Public dates run at WorkSafe Ireland’s Dublin venue on the Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 and at the Enterprise Centre, Gorey Business Park, Co. Wexford. WorkSafe also delivers the course on-site for employer groups. See the Manual Handling course page, the Manual Handling course in Dublin, or the Safe Pass and Manual Handling bundle. For a group quote, email info@worksafe.ie.
Frequently asked questions
What is a manual handling risk assessment?
It is an employer’s check of a lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling task that looks at the load, the effort, the work area, the activity and the person, then sets out how the risk of injury will be reduced.
When should manual handling risk assessments be performed?
Before a manual handling task is first carried out, and again whenever the load, equipment, work area or person changes, or after an incident.
Does WorkSafe’s Manual Handling course cover risk assessment?
Yes. Manual handling risk assessments are part of the WorkSafe Ireland syllabus, and the practical exercises are based on risk assessments.
How long is the certificate valid?
WorkSafe’s certificate of attendance is valid for three years, in keeping with HSA guidelines on training.
