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Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended)

Provisions the documents cite: reg 2 (manual handling operations; load; self-employed), reg 4(1)(a) (avoid), reg 4(1)(b)(i)–(iii) (assess having regard to Schedule 1; reduce to the lowest level reasonably practicable; information on weight and heaviest side), reg 4(2) (review), reg 4(3) (individual factors), reg 5 (employees), Schedule 1 (factors and questions)

What it requires

reg 4(1)(a) — each employer, so far as reasonably practicable, avoids the need for employees to undertake manual handling operations at work that involve a risk of their being injured. Where that is not reasonably practicable, the employer (i) makes a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such operations, having regard to the factors in column 1 of Schedule 1 and considering the questions in column 2; (ii) takes appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable; and (iii) takes appropriate steps to give those employees general indications and, where reasonably practicable, precise information on the weight of each load and the heaviest side of any load whose centre of gravity is not positioned centrally (reg 4(1)(b)). The assessment is reviewed if there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change in the operations, and changed where needed (reg 4(2)). In deciding whether there is a risk and what steps to take, regard is had in particular to the employee's physical suitability; clothing, footwear or other personal effects; knowledge and training; the results of the risk assessment under reg 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; whether the employee is in a group identified as especially at risk; and the results of any health surveillance (reg 4(3)). Schedule 1 factors and questions: the tasks (holding or manipulating loads at a distance from the trunk; twisting, stooping or reaching upwards; excessive lifting or lowering or carrying distances; excessive pushing or pulling; risk of sudden movement of loads; frequent or prolonged physical effort; insufficient rest or recovery; a rate of work imposed by a process); the loads (heavy; bulky or unwieldy; difficult to grasp; unstable or with contents likely to shift; sharp, hot or otherwise potentially damaging); the working environment (space constraints preventing good posture; uneven, slippery or unstable floors; variations in level of floors or work surfaces; extremes of temperature or humidity; ventilation problems or gusts of wind; poor lighting); individual capability (unusual strength, height etc.; a hazard to those who might reasonably be considered pregnant or to have a health problem; special information or training needed); and other factors (movement or posture hindered by personal protective equipment or clothing). Employees make full and proper use of any system of work provided under reg 4(1)(b)(ii) (reg 5). Manual handling operations means any transporting or supporting of a load — including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving — by hand or bodily force, and a load includes a person or an animal; the employer's duties also apply to a relevant self-employed person in respect of themselves (reg 2). The Regulations set no numerical weight limits; the figures in HSE L23's risk filters are for deciding which tasks need a more detailed assessment.

The instrument itself: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2793. The summary above is our plain-English reading, not the text of the instrument — always work from the source.

How this entry is kept current

  • Citation status: read in full at the primary source.
  • Watched by: check for amendment, withdrawal or a new edition at each monthly horizon scan.
  • Source last checked by the automated scan: 2026-09-01.

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The 183 documents that cite it

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