UK MANUAL HANDLING CLAIMS

Manual handling claims occur in industries as diverse as nursing and construction and the incidence of these accidents is about one third of all reported workplace accidents. The TUC recently found that back strains were still widespread and were seen as a major hazard with women workers being particularly vulnerable to injury.

Regulations came into effect in 1992 and an employer is now under a primary duty to avoid the need for employees to undertake any operations which involve a risk of their suffering injury. The employer is also required to undertake a specific assessment of all operations which involve risk of injury. Where there is a risk of injury it is necessary for the employer to consider what equipment or plant can be used to replace manual effort. Employers are also required to reduce the risk of injury by providing employees with proper training, instruction and supervision and if an accident occurs as a result of failure to provide adequate health and safety training or supervision then the employer will be held liable in negligence for any injury sustained by an employee and must pay compensation to the employee for any injury sustained. Professional trainers have suggested that between 3 and 5 days is an appropriate time period for training staff that have no previous experience and appropriate supervision must be provided to ensure training is put into practice. Failure to carry out the provisions will mean that an employer is liable to pay compensation for any injuries sustained by an employee.

The legislation covers any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving) by hand or by bodily force. The regulations clearly indicate that an employer shall so far as is practicable, avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured. Where there is a risk of injury it is necessary for the employer to consider what equipment or plant can be used to replace manual effort.

If you have suffered any injury in an accident at work we can help you claim compensation. The law relating to lifting accidents is complex and it is in your interests to ensure that you take immediate qualified advice from a specialist solicitor to preserve your legal rights. We are an independent UK legal service offering free advice on specialist solicitors who are members of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts. Win or lose you don't pay a penny and your compensation is paid in full. Our panel solicitors operate the no win no fee scheme and you will not have to fund or finance your claim in any respect. Our service is completely risk free.

If you would like free advice then just complete the manual handling contact form and a solicitor experienced in work accident claims and who is a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you at no cost and without obligation.