Manual Handling Regulation Lawyers Glasgow, Scotland

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations define manual handling as “any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.” This definition includes any activity that necessitates someone, in the course of their employment, lifting, moving or supporting a load. When work associated with manual handling and heavy lifting is carried out incorrectly, significant and sometimes life-changing injuries can occur.

Every employer has a duty to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of injury to employees. This includes ensuring that heavy lifting tasks are performed safely and in accordance with manual handling safe working practices. To reduce the risk of employees suffering injuries at work, employers are required to:

• perform regular risk assessments of all manual handling practices that are deemed necessary and which have the potential to cause injury or harm to employees;
• assess and review established working practices with a view to eliminating any manual handling tasks which are not essential to business needs; and
• establish procedures designed to reduce the risk of injury associated with essential manual handling tasks as much as possible; for example, by labelling and identifying the weight of products or items requiring lifted or moved, providing appropriate equipment and training, ensuring staff are first aid trained, etc.

If your employer has not provided a safe working environment by failing to undertake consistent and regular risk assessments or provide essential training, support and supervision, resulting in injury or accident, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

Manual handling accidents can occur in any workplace as there are often many potential hazards and risky practices that can give rise to a manual handling claim, including:

• lifting objects that are too heavy;
• repetitive lifting;
• insufficient training; or
• inadequate equipment or first aid provisions.

Employment regulations, including the Manual Handling Regulations, require employers to, as far as is reasonable, maintain, uphold and preserve employees’ safety and security throughout their working day. If the tasks you are required to carry out during the course of your employment involve an element of risk, your employer is obliged to undertake the appropriate risk assessments on a regular and consistent basis to mitigate avoidable hazards and create a working environment that is as safe as reasonably possible.

If you have been injured because your employer has failed to comply with manual handling regulations or health and safety guidelines, our team of Personal Injury Solicitors will assess the circumstances of your accident and injury and advise if you are eligible to make a manual handling compensation claim.

Our Personal Injury Experts offer a bespoke approach to manual handling and heavy lifting injury claims. We will meet with you regularly to discuss your case and help you navigate the process of making a claim. You will be appointed a dedicated Personal Injury Solicitor who will be your point of contact throughout. You will be updated regularly as we seek to advance your claim with efficiency and diligence.

Our transparent fee structure means that there will be no hidden charges. We understand that making a claim can seem like a daunting or stressful process. However, our team will provide guidance and advice that will make this process straightforward and stress-free. Your best interests are at the heart of our approach and we will strive to obtain the compensation you are owed.