HSE leaflets for employers on managing the risks of musculoskeletal disorders updated

INDG143 Manual handling at work: A brief guide (revision)

This leaflet is aimed at employers. It gives useful practical advice on reducing the risk of injury from manual handling.  It: 

• explains the problem with manual handling;
• includes simple risk filters for lifting and lowering, pushing and pulling, and carrying operations to distinguish between low- and high-risk tasks;
• provides practical advice on making a risk assessment;
• suggests ways of controlling the risks.

This updated version brings the risk assessment process in line with Appendix 1 of HSE’s Guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992  (L23). The section on safe handling techniques has been moved to HSE’s website. There are no changes to policy or regulation.

INDG171 Managing upper limb disorders in the workplace: A brief guide (revision)

This leaflet is aimed at employers. It gives practical advice on reducing the risk of upper limb disorders (ULDs) which affect the shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and fingers, as well as the neck.  It explains:

• what upper limb disorders are;
• their symptoms and causes;
• how to manage the risks around them;
• what employers can do to help their workers.

This updated version now includes a simple filter to help identify low-risk tasks which do not need further assessment.  There is no change in policy or regulation.