Copyright 2011 Elmbridge Borough Council

Date of assessment …………/………/….…..

Manual Handling Assessment Checklist

Company Name:

Task Description:

Are there indications that the task is high risk? (Tick the appropriate boxes)

Task has a history of manual handling incidents (e.g. accident book, RIDDOR
reports).

Task is known to be hard work or high risk.

Employees doing the work show signs that they are finding it hard work (e.g.
breathing heavily, red-faced, sweating).

Questions to consider: Level of risk: Possible remedial

(Tick as appropriate) action
Yes Low Med High
The tasks – do they involve:
Holding loads away from the
trunk?
Twisting?
Stooping?
Reaching upwards?
Large vertical movement?
Long carrying distances?
Strenuous pushing or pulling?
Unpredictable movement of loads?
Repetitive handling?
Insufficient rest or recovery?
A work rate imposed by a
process?
The loads – are they:
Heavy?
Bulky/unwieldy?
Unstable/unpredictable?
Intrinsically harmful e.g.
sharp/hot?
The working environment – are
there:
Constraints on posture?
Poor floors?
Variations in levels?
Hot/cold/humid conditions?
Strong air movements?
Poor Lighting conditions?

cont…
Copyright 2011 Elmbridge Borough Council

Questions to consider: Level of risk: Possible remedial

(Tick as appropriate) action
Yes Low Med High
Individual capability – does the
job:
Require unusual capability?
Hazard those with a health
problem?
Hazard those who are pregnant?
Call for special
information/training?
Is clothing restricting movement?
Team handling - is there
communication, co-ordination and
control
Date by which action should be taken:
Date for re-assessment:
Assessor’s name: Signature:

The above checklist may aid you in your risk assessment process. It is only an
example and indicates some of the main points to be considered in a manual
handling assessment

g:ehl/hsw/std letters.forms
\Risk Assessment Checklist– Manual Handling