Manual Handling in Emergencies

A recent case involving a social worker visiting a client has highlighted an issue that could affect the Sports and Recreation Industry. The social worker was required to lift their client and as consequence injured their back. The social worker has successfully sued their employer. The courts felt that acting in an emergency was reasonably foreseeable and that warnings of the risks should have been given.

Further more Regulation 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 requires us to establish suitable procedures to cater for danger at work. Information and training which is relevant to the individual and easy to understand should be given.

We expect pool supervisors, recreation assistants, receptionists, crèche assistants, catering staff, duty officers and even groundsmen to act responsibly in an emergency. This may require them to manually handle a patient or customer. The member of staff will probably not be in a position to wait for direct supervision or advice. It is imperative they know how to respond and act without reference to supervisors. To ensure this we must guarantee that the staff have had adequate information, instruction and training to make decisions based on accurate interpretation of the situation.

Manual Handling is a tricky subject. At the best of times correct technique is essential, in emergency situations, operatives need adapt the techniques and apply them. Not just copy standard lifting and carrying methods, lack of application could lead to serious back neck or hand injuries.

Manual Handling

Any transporting or supporting of a load, by one or more people, including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling carrying or moving of a load.