4. What are you moving?

You may be tasked with moving an object or a person. An assessment of what you are moving is key to ensuring the task is carried out safely.

Load

For an object (or inanimate load), consider carefully the weight, the shape and how the load will need to be moved and where to. How can it be picked up, perhaps it needs a carrier?

When moving people we must ensure they are treated with dignity. Consider the task as you would any other handling task, but also ensure the person is as independent as possible and where they are able, to ensure they can help with the moving task.

Assess what equipment might aid the handling task and ensure it is carried out safely. Think about your posture, and try to reduce stretching, leaning or other unnatural movements. If you need assistance or equipment, then it is your responsibility to ask for it.

What does the law say?

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Legal

HASAWA (1974), MHOR (1992), LOLER (1998), PUWER (1998)

Considering the safety of the individual is covered by the overarching Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), and the Manual Handling Operations 1992 (MHOR) legislation specifies that risk must be reduced using the TILE assessment.

The Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) legislation covers operations 'concerned with the lifting and lowering of a load', this refers to both lifting objects and people.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) act covers any work equipment.