Manual handling a major cause of injuries

Official statistics have found that manual handling is the cause of almost two-thirds of back injuries in the construction industry.

Independent research conducted by Speedy Hire also revealed that 70 per cent of site workers were unaware of any legislation concerning the movement of heavy objects.

According to the statistics, 400,000 people suffer from back pain that is directly caused or exacerbated by their work.

Mark Turnbull, safety, health, environment and quality director at Speedy Hire believes the responsibility to prevent such injuries is with the employer.

'It is the employer's responsibility to provide and maintain appropriate equipment, ensure proper procedures are followed and provide the necessary information, training and supervision of employees,' he wrote for CNplus.co.uk.

He went on to add that firms also have a legal obligation to carry out risk assessments on jobs where manual handling is required.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 state that employers must protect workers from hazardous operations as far as is reasonably possible and also carry out risk assessments to reduce injuries.