Some of the content presented on our website has been generated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We ensure that all AI-generated content meets our high standards for accuracy and relevance.
You need not be in a manual job to complete a manual task. A manual handling task can be delegated to anyone in any profession, for example, a receptionist being asked to move heavy boxes of files or a librarian moving heavy boxes of books. Whatever your profession your employer has a duty to take reasonable measures to protect you from risks to your health and safety.
What is your employer’s duty in terms of manual handling?
The duty of employers in relation to manual handling tasks is contained in s.4 of the Manual Handling Regulations 1992. So far as is reasonably practicable, the legislation asks that all employers avoid the need for their employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of an injury.
Where this is not reasonably practicable, the legislation asks that employers:
- Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such manual handling operations to be undertaken by them;
- Take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to employees arising out of manual handling tasks to the lowest level reasonably practicable; and
- Lastly, again where it is reasonably practicable to do so, provide employees carrying out manual handling tasks with precise information on the weight of each load, and the heaviest side of any load whose centre of gravity is not positioned centrally.
Manual Handling Accident Claims
If you have suffered an injury as a result of carrying out a manual handling task and you feel that your employer has fallen short of the above standards, you may have a claim for compensation.
There are a few actions which you can take which may strengthen your position in relation to this:
- Report your injury to your employer – this can be important as it may need to be entered into an accident book.
- Seek medical assistance – this not only assists with your injuries, it also allows your doctor to make a note in your medical records.
- Check for witnesses – witnesses can provide valuable evidence to a claim, so obtaining their contact details can be useful.
- Seek legal advice.
How Nelsons Can Help
At Nelsons, we realise that making a claim against your employer can be a difficult and challenging task as we act for many client’s after they have suffered an accident at work. We are also able to offer no win, no fee agreements with our client’s receiving 100% of their compensation.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.