Manual handling is the transporting and supporting of goods or loads. Examples include carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling and opening.
Certain jobs may involve little or no manual handling whilst others may involve manual handling on a daily basis. Manual handling injuries can be due to a one-off incident or as a result of the repetitive nature of the job itself.
These injuries can affect several areas of the body, but common injuries are to the back and shoulders.
Can I claim?
Your employer has a duty to risk assess the jobs you carry out but they also have to take reasonable steps to avoid any situation where manual handling may be required.
For example, many different types of equipment can be used to avoid the need for manual handling altogether or reduce the strain and load that you handle. These include a fork lift truck and pallet trucks.
Your employer must also assess your physical capability to do the job and whether the risk of injury can be reduced by the job being carried out by additional people.
They must also ensure that you are given thorough and frequent training on how to lift and transport goods and loads properly.
If your employer has failed to carry out these duties and not taken all reasonable care for your safety in the workplace, you may be able to make a successful claim for compensation for any injuries you have sustained.
Perhaps you have suffered a back injury or an injury from lifting? Our team of personal injury solicitors at Recovery Assist will be able to offer you free advice and guide you simply and easily through the compensation process if we believe you have a claim. Ring today and speak to one of our experienced specialists.
Call Us on 0161 762 4949
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E-mail: info@recoveryassist.co.uk