Although every employer should ensure all staff are fully trained and up-to-date with current health and safety protocols with regards to manual labour and lifting injuries do still occur and some of the most common manual handling injuries are related to back complaints.

Manual handling is simply a term for carrying an object such as a box, or moving an object by means of pulling or pushing. The operation of power tools can also be classified as manual handling and related inquiries are usually classed as such.

Although we all know the correct posture to adopt when lifting heavy items it is all too easy to forget and just do what is easiest, this is when we are most susceptible to suffer a problem which can result in weeks of extreme pain and in some cases months of expensive treatment.

The most common area to be hurt is the back and in most cases once an injury has been sustained the area will usually remain weaker and prone to re-injury. The best method here is prevention rather than cure as the spine is a very delicate thing and once damaged it may never be the same again.

Other areas of the body at risk include the limbs such as arms and legs which can be affected by either muscle strains or tears; tendon damage is another factor and can be in any of the joints. Again muscle tears and tendon damage is very painful and can take months to heal, in some cases never doing so properly and thus leaving the area weaker.

Of course there is the obvious ones such as broken bones from falling objects, although steel toe-cap boots should be worn they only protect the toe area and the upper foot region is exposed and at risk of damage should anything be dropped.

A more long term condition could involve heart trouble, if the initial injury is extreme and the rehabilitation time extended it can have an adverse effect on the individuals overall health and well being. An inability to remain active could result in increased weight gain, mood swings and even long term depression. Although these are not directly related to manual handling they are the result of an injury caused by it and so in part are connected to the initial problem.

Every employer should take them time to ensure that their staff are not only properly trained but are also adhering to the health and safety guidelines set out for them. Although personal injuries through lack of due care an attention is not the employers liability it is not worth taking the risk with the compensation mentally and the number of companies who now specialize in the field.

As well as the employer being responsible to their staff to ensure they are adhering to the company guidelines it is important for individuals to closely monitor and be self aware when lifting, moving or operating any type of machinery. Avoiding injury should be your priority and taking a few moments to assess a situation prior to any manual action should be done as a matter of course.

Author Bio: Keir Gibson writes for Carrs Solicitors. Carrs Solicitors in Bolton are specialists in injury at work claims. Visit http://www.carrssolicitors.com/ to help you claim compensation if you\’ve suffered a manual handling injury.

Category: Legal
Keywords: manual handling, personal injury, injury at work, work accident, accident at work, solicitors,