Manual Handling Injuries (21473)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that in 2021/2022:
- Nearly half a million workers suffered from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
- Musculoskeletal disorders are the second most common cause of work-related ill health (stress, depression and anxiety are the most common cause)
- 7.3 million working days are lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders
- Workers in the agricultural, construction, human health and social work sectors have higher than average rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Manual handling injuries can happen anywhere, including:
- Warehouses and factories
- Building sites
- Retail and hospitality premises
- Offices
- Healthcare settings
- Farms
- Schools and nurseries
High Risk Tasks include:
- Heavy lifting
- Awkward postures
- Handling from an awkward place
- Previous / existing injury
Common injuries include:
- Cuts, abrasions and fractures
- Bruising
- Muscle, tendon and ligament damage
- Back pain
- Trapped nerves
- Crush injuries
- Prolapsed / slipped disc
- Hernia