Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Manual Handling Operations 
Regulations (MHO) 1992 as 
amended in 2002
17.23.1 General
The Regulations apply to the manual handling (any trans-
porting or supporting) of loads, i.e. by human effort, as 
opposed to mechanical handling by fork lift truck, crane, 
etc. Manual handling includes lifting, putting down, push-
ing, pulling, carrying or moving. The human effort may be 
17.23 
Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHO) 1992 as amended in 2002

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
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applied directly to the load, or indirectly by pulling on a 
rope, chain or lever. Introducing mechanical assistance, 
like a hoist or sack truck, may reduce but not eliminate 
manual handling, since human effort is still required to 
move, steady or position the load.
The application of human effort for purposes other 
than transporting or supporting a load; for example, 
pulling on a rope to lash down a load or moving a 
machine control, is not a manual handling operation. A 
load is a discrete movable object, but it does not include 
an implement, tool or machine while being used.
Injury in the context of these Regulations means to 
any part of the body. It should take account of the physical 
features of the load which might affect grip or cause 
direct injury, for example, slipperiness, sharp edges, and 
extremes of temperature. It does not include injury caused 
by any toxic or corrosive substance which has leaked 
from a load, is on its surface or is part of the load.
17.23.2
Duties of employers – avoidance of 
manual handling – Regulation 4 (1) (a)
Employers should take steps to avoid the need for 
employees to carry out MHO which involves a risk of 
their being injured.
The guidance suggests that a preliminary assess-
ment should be carried out when making a general risk 
assessment under the Management of Health and Safety 
at Work Regulations 1999. Employers should consider 
whether the operation can be eliminated, automated or 
mechanized.