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May 18th, 2002 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Shop Manual

The Problems of Manual Handling in the Office

It would be foolish to compare a mundane Office environment with a Oil Rig at sea, since an Office does not have the natural hazards seen in some Workplaces.

Yet, Office Safety must be managed properly to ensure that they can remain generally safe environments for everyone to work within.

Periodically, the Office may face unusual tasks, which may bring different hazards into an unprepared environment. It now becomes someone’s task to take proper account of any Risk that may be presented.

The need for Manual Handling is one such example of an activity that is rarely required in the office. The only real manual handling required is normally to move boxes of paper and similar items.

Inevitably, the desire to change the Office around will come about eventually and so computer equipment, desks, tables and chairs have to be moved.

Sadly, this can result in Manual Handling injuries for those involved, since the staff are not properly trained or equipped to carry out manual handling tasks.

Importantly, recognise that large objects require some lifting and moving skill and that most items of Office equipment are not normally easy to grip for sustained periods of time.

Attempt to identify the largest hazards before going headlong into a giant furniture movement. Think about the space that you move items into and therefore minimise the handling time for the staff.

Seriously consider the use of a removal company, particularly if you have more that 50 items to move around, since they are trained and equipped to deal with this. The company involved will be grateful for not having to load 100’s of items into a large van!

If you are working on a smaller scale, consider the kinds of additional manual handling aids that will be useful in the office

For example, pretty much anything that has wheels will help the movement or larger furniture items and a Sack Truck can be ideal. You may well be able to hire equipment like this from tour local plant hire shop and they are very inexpensive for a day or two.

Whilst you’re in the hire shop, ask about suitable gloves, don’t be afraid to explain what you want them for, the more You Can explain about you need for equipment, the better they can advise you.

Once you’ve defined the equipment, communicate a plan and get other people involved in solving any problems with the movement of items. It is still amazing how one comment from a member of staff can make the whole Manual Handling problem in the office all but disappear – there are some great ideas in that office – tap into them!

About the Author

Health & Safety Nationwide provides Health and Safety Consultancy for most UK businesses. Reviews and Audits or current Policy, Risk Assessments along with completion of DSE Assessments, Fire Risk Assessment, General Risk Assessment and Manual Handling concerns.

http://www.health-and-safety-nationwide.co.uk