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3 March 2005 - HSE Manual Handling Guidance
for Kerb Handling
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published a guidance,
by means of an information sheet, on the handling of kerbs, which is not only
aimed at contractors, but anyone involved in the use of kerbs, such as,
manufacturers, designers, and suppliers, with the aim of reducing the risks in
muskuloskeletal disorders (MSD's).
The information sheets address the three main hazards within the
kerbing chain as a whole and advises on how to control the risks involved, by
means of mechanisation controls.
The three main hazards within kerbing are as follows:
Employers, under The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
(as amended 2004), if they find they cannot avoid a risk of injury where manual
handling occurs, must re-access their manual handling operations for a reduction
to the lowest level where reasonably practicable. The information
sheet gives guidance, by means of hierarchy control measures, to assist in
reaching the lowest levels possible.
A comment from the HSE's Construction Sector says:
"This guidance is the result of working in partnership
between ourselves and those involved in the kerb supply chain. The project has
been a success and we are now close to our goal, to make mechanical handling of
heavy kerb products the industry norm".
Whilst The Construction Confederation commented.
"Handling kerbs is typical of the difficult issues that our
industry must tackle if we are to have an impact on work related ill-health.
Within a goal-setting legislative framework, there will always be a need for
credible guidance on what needs to be done; I am pleased to see HSE working in
close collaboration with the industry to map out a practical framework for
handling kerbs. This is a useful marriage of the common-sense that can come from
industry, self-regulation, and the authority that HSE can bring to any
guidance".
A "Kerbs Forum" was set up by kerb manufacturers, local
authorities, contractors and others involved in the industry and was beneficial
in the collation of the HSE information sheet.
Commenting on the information sheet and the Forum, the Interpave
Chairman said:
"We have been closely involved with the 'Kerbs Forum' since
it was convened and welcomed working in partnership with HSE to develop
consistent guidelines on this important issue. MSDs account for over a third of
all injuries in construction and are a major reason for workers leaving the
industry.
"Interpave welcomes the new information sheet which provides
guidance for a wide range of duty holders on what they can do to promote and
facilitate mechanical solutions and gives details on the range of plant and
equipment available to control the MSD risks. We are confident that adherence to
the guidelines will ensure that the handling of pre-cast kerbs in construction
projects is undertaken in a safe manner".
Director of Health, Safety and Environmental Services, Mowlem
Plc and Chairman CECA Health and Safety Committee commented on the co-operation
of all parties:
"The industry has responded well to this issue and manual
handling of kerbs is well on its way to being eliminated, but there are areas of
difficulty needing resolution. The 'Kerbs Forum' and production of the guidance
has been a prime example showing how co-operation between all parties concerned
can produce real results within a complex issue".
The HSE's Information sheet can be accessed by clicking the
following:
HSE Information Sheet on Guidance for Kerb Handling
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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