Manual handling injuries — caused by lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling — are among the most common workplace injuries in the UK. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 place clear duties on employers. If your employer failed to meet those duties and you were injured, you may have grounds for a claim.
Common Causes
- Lifting heavy or awkward loads without mechanical assistance
- No risk assessment for manual handling tasks
- Inadequate or no manual handling training
- Working in awkward postures due to poor workspace layout
- Repetitive lifting or carrying over extended periods
Types of Injuries
- Back injuries (disc herniation, muscle strains)
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries
- Hernia
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Knee injuries from awkward postures
Evidence That May Help
- Training records (or evidence of their absence)
- Risk assessment documents
- Accident book entry
- Medical records
- Witness evidence
- Photographs of the load and workspace
Primary legal and safety sources
This guide is checked against official sources. The applicable law and limitation rules depend on where in the UK the accident happened.