UK: HSE launches campaign and inspections to prevent injuries

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness and prevent injuries from moving and handling materials in the construction industry. The campaign, called 'Your health. Your future’, aims to help employers and workers identify and manage the risks associated with manual handling tasks.

Why is moving and handling materials a risky business?

Moving and handling materials is one of the most common causes of injuries in the construction sector. According to HSE, around 42,000 construction workers suffer musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which can cause years of agonising aches and pains. This amounts to 53% of all ill health in the construction sector.Manual handling injuries can have serious consequences for workers’ health and well-being, as well as for their productivity and performance. They can also result in significant costs for employers, such as compensation claims, lost working days, and reduced output.

HSE inspections have commenced

From 4 September 2023, HSE inspectors will have started to carry out inspections of construction sites across the UK, focusing on the health risks of moving and handling materials on site.Inspections in 2022 found widespread methods used that were beneficial to preventing injuries, such as:

• The use of mechanical equipment to handle large glazing panes.
• Using small inexpensive airbags to help position heavy doors when being installed.
• The use of all-terrain pallet trucks to move blocks and brick-lifters to carry bricks around the site.

However, inspectors also found many examples of poor practice, such as:

• Worker lifting an 80 kg curb on his own without any assistance from machinery, lifting aids, or colleagues.
• A 110 kg floor saw that had to be moved into and out of a work van by two operatives at a street works site.

The new campaign and helpful resources

HSE has developed a range of resources and guidance to help employers and workers prevent injuries from moving and handling materials. These include:

• A web page that provides information on the legal requirements, risk assessment, planning, training, and supervision for manual handling tasks.
• The new campaign page has a variety of free resources such as guides and posters to have around the workplace.
• The Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) tool helps users identify high-risk workplace manual handling activities.
• HSE also encourages employers and workers to share their experiences and good practices on social media using the hashtag #LiftingAndHandling.

The campaign is part of its ongoing efforts to improve health and safety standards in the construction industry.HSE said that it will also conduct inspections and enforcement activities across the country to check compliance with the manual handling regulations.‍

Sources

‍Latest construction campaign to prevent ill health from moving and handling materials by HSE, 31st August, 2023.