Risk Assessment Guidance
The assessor can assign values for the hazard severity (a) and likelihood of occurrence (b)
(taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5,
then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Hazard Severity
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(b)
(almost never)
(occurs rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(occurs frequently)
Fatal
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of
response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Serious
1
Likelihood of Occurrence
(single or multiple)
Moderate
Remote
(eg discomfort, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
(eg small cut, abrasion, basic first aid need)
(eg strain, sprain, incapacitation > 3 days)
(eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4
Minor
Trivial
1 – Trivial
2 – Minor
3 – Moderate
4 – Serious
weeks)
5 – Fatal
(a)
2
3
4
5
4
6
8
10
Rating Bands (a x b)
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue, but
implement
additional
reasonably
practicable
controls where
possible and
monitor regularly
-STOP THE
ACTIVITY-
Unlikely
2
Possible
3
6
9
12
15
4
8
12
16
20
5
10
15
20
25
Likely
Very
likely
UOB Risk Assessment
Continue, but
review
periodically to
ensure controls
remain effective
Identify new
controls. Activity
must not
proceed until
risks are
reduced to a low
or medium level
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
Risk Assessment Record
Risk Assessment of:
Manual handling tasks
Overview of activity / location
/ equipment / conditions
being assessed:
Generic or specific
assessment?
Assessor(s):
A. Chapman
Date:
18/12/2014
Generic risk assessment for manual handling activities. No specific tasks have been assumed.
Context of assessment (delete as appropriate): planning stage / ‘desk-top’ exercise / site visit / in consultation with employees / in consultation
with managers / other (please describe)
Generic risk assessment
Manual handling should be avoided wherever possible.
Factors in the assessment should not be taken individually, as a combination of factors may increase the level of risk. For
example the need to bend or stoop while pushing a load over a significant distance is likely to incur a greater risk than any
one factor taken alone. The activity needs to be assessed as a whole.
Assistive equipment should be used, e.g. trolley, sack truck, fork lift truck, wheeled cages, etc. where items need to be
moved. Equipment should be chosen carefully to ensure it is suitable for the load, the task, the individual, and the
environment it is being used in.
Storage of items should take into account the need to move them.
Details of the provision of information, instruction, training, and supervision should be included as control measures where
appropriate.
Manual handling risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually and after any significant change or any injury that
could have been caused by manual handling or is likely to be made worse by continuing the task.
For further information: see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf or http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/manual.htm For
complex tasks, the HSE MAC tool may be useful: http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manualhandling.htm
UOB Risk Assessment
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
1
Hazard(s) identified
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures
A
B
A
x
B
Additional
controls
required
Hazards related to the load

Weight
Balance / weight distribution




Use HSE’s guideline weights for assessing safe lifting weight
in the situation (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf
Break load down into more manageable weights
Use trolley / sack truck etc.
Test load before lifting
Aim to balance load as evenly as possible across the body
for single lifts or between people for team lifts
Unstable / contents likely to shift (risk of sudden
movement of load)

Re-pack contents to improve stability
Bulky or unwieldy

Break load down into more manageable sizes

Consider providing carry handles / suction lifters / other
carrying tools
Consider appropriate personal protective equipment if hazard
cannot be removed
Difficult to grasp
Sharp / hot / cold / otherwise potentially
damaging


2
Hazards related to the individual
Strength / fitness / other physical attributes
Vulnerable individual e.g. expectant or new
mother; young person; previous
musculoskeletal injury; other relevant health
condition
Training / knowledge / experience needed to
perform the task safely

Ensure the task is within the individual’s physical capability

Individual assessments to take into account the specific
vulnerability

All workers whose roles include significant manual handling
must attend training and refresher training


UOB Risk Assessment
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
3
Hazard(s) identified
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures
A
B
A
x
B
Additional
controls
required
Hazards related to the task
Lifting / putting down

Good lifting technique
Stooping

Good posture
Reaching up


Avoid moving objects above head height
Note that use of step stools / ladders will require a Work at
Height assessment
Reduce weight of load
Bring load as close to trunk as possible
Avoid by moving the feet and whole body
Reduce weight of load
Reduce weight of individual loads
Have ‘set-down’ points to split up long travel distances
Push rather than pull where possible.
Ensure force required to start / stop and maintain load in
motion is within individual’s capability
Vary the work to allow one set of muscles to rest while
another is used
Reduce weight of loads
Vary the work to allow one set of muscles to rest while
another is used
Holding or manipulating load at a distance from
the trunk
Twisting the trunk
Distance of travel
Pushing / pulling









Frequent / repetitive or prolonged physical effort
Insufficient rest or recovery periods


Rate of work imposed by a process or machine

Ensure rate of work is within the capability of the individual
Vibrating equipment (e.g. cleaning equipment,
hand-held power tools)

May need to restrict the duration of the task

4
Hazards related to the environment
Space constraints preventing good posture

Remove obstructions
Uneven, slippery, or unstable floors

Improve the floor surface where possible
UOB Risk Assessment
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
Hazard(s) identified
Variation in level of floor or work surface
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures

Avoid steps and steep ramps where possible


Avoid where possible
Take steps to improve atmospheric conditions e.g
dehumidifier; electric fan.
Wear suitable clothing
Have hot / cold drinks available
Take steps to avoid or minimise e.g. by fitting plastic door
curtains
Allow time for eyes to adjust to lighting conditions
Improve lighting where possible
Consider automatically opening doors
Consider obtaining assistance with opening doors
Consider using barriers or clearing the area for the duration
of the task
Extremes of temperature or humidity
Conditions causing gusts of wind or other
strong air movement
Poor or variable lighting conditions
Doors
Other people / other activities in the area
A








B
A
x
B
Additional
controls
required

Assessor signature:
UOB Risk Assessment
Print name:
Review date:
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
Risk Assessment Action Plan
Action Plan in respect of:
Ref
no.
Prepared by:
Action to be taken, incl. Cost
Responsible manager’s signature:
Print name:
UOB Risk Assessment
By whom
Target
date
Review
date
Outcome at review date
Responsible manager’s signature:
Date:
Print name:
Date
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit