The risk assessment for Manual Handling of Loads is an obligation of the Employer and must be implemented not only for lifting, transporting, pulling, pushing, but also for so-called repetitive movements or repetitive actions.
Even today, the risks associated with such work activities are among the most widespread and often lead to occupational diseases. The Employer must carry out the risk assessment for Manual Handling of Loads at the beginning of the activity, when working conditions are changed, or at least every 4 years.
The assessment of Manual Handling of Loads is regulated by Annex XXXIII of Legislative Decree 81/08, which identifies the technical standard ISO 11228 part 1 (lifting and carrying), part 2 (pushing and pulling), part 3 (low loads at high frequency) as the assessment method. The employer is required to carry out the assessment and to adopt all necessary measures to contain the risk. In case of disputes (such as the onset of occupational diseases), they must be able to demonstrate that they have implemented all necessary measures for risk reduction.
The risk assessment due to Manual Handling of Loads is carried out by applying the following methods:
- NIOSH Method (ISO 11228-1), for the assessment of risk due to lifting and carrying
- OCRA Method (ISO 11228-3), for the assessment of the risk due to repetitive movements of the upper limbs
- SNOOK and CIRIELLO Method (ISO 11228-2), for the assessment of risk due to pushing or pulling
The evaluation takes into account:
- MMC lifting and transport
- MMC push and pull
- single handling, multiple handling, mixed multiple handling, variable
- low loads at high frequency
- repetitive movements of the upper limbs
- postural assessment
- ergonomics
- static postures
The MMC evaluation service offered by AGE web solutions, through its qualified technicians, consists of calculating the indices proposed by the various methods and providing the protective and preventive measures to be adopted to reduce the identified risk factors.