Moving and handling materials – Health and Safety Bulletin (Aug/2023)
HSE are carrying out site inspection across Great Britain focusing on moving and handling materials.
Construction sites are being targeted as part of a health inspection initiative supported by the
‘Work Right Construction: Your health. Your future’ campaign.
The campaign is raising awareness of health issues in relation to moving and handling
materials to improve the long-term health of those working in construction.
Starting in early September 2023, site inspections focusing on moving and handling
construction materials will be checking employers and workers know the risks, plan their
work and are using sensible control measures to protect workers from injuries and aches, pain
and discomfort in joints, muscles and bones known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Act now to protect workers’ health
Employers
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect workers from ill health and should involve
them in managing the risks to their health just as they would with safety.
Construction workers:
Workers should not have to accept these injuries and potential long-term suffering as an
inevitable part of construction work. They should talk to their employer about the risks and
the measures in place to protect their health.
How Can I prepare?
1. Ensure your workplace is clean and tidy. The impact of this cannot be understated.
2. Inform your managers/supervisors that an inspection is more likely to happen and
provide them with guidance and training on how to respond, e.g., it is highly
inadvisable to refuse them entry.
3. Be prepared for members of staff to be questioned, so provide them with clear
information on how the organisation protects their health, safety and welfare.
4. Reduce the need for manual handling or provide aids to reduce the risk of injury.
5. Avoid heavy materials that could cause problems if they need to be moved by hand.
Choose lighter materials, order smaller bags of materials. Keep materials dry.
6. Make sure relevant safety documentation is available (manual handling risk
assessment), up to date and sufficient.
7. Check manual handling training and any training for lifting equipment is in date.
HSE has provided free resources on the following link
Manual Handling – Work Right to keep Britain safe
If you would like help in implementing or further advice this, please get in touch
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