Manual Handling Laws/Rules etc

[Unicorn]

So quick question for anyone who's brushed up on manual handling rules or anyone who's a safety advisor

Im currently working on a construction site which isn't all too bad but i feel the safety of workers and the attitude to safety and my wellbeing isn't really cared about.

First things first im an apprentice (not asking for special treatment) but i shouldn't be made to do anything i am not comfortable with for a start or suitably trained in. The objects in question i am required to carry firstly across the site and then up to the 23m level (a lot of stairs) is 6m lengths of Steel Unistrut and two at a time on my shoulder (approx 35kg and a very awkward load)

Come to tuesday its destroyed my back iv been laid up for two days and i fear its caused some quite bad damage personally im off to the doctors tomorrow if it isn't okay to get some stronger painkillers or see what can be done.

What is my course of action here really on what iv been required to do and what i have done. I just want to make it so i don't have to injure myself to do the task ( Iv asked for a mechanical lifting aid and got told no, I had some help but its rare i ever get it as i get made to do it on my own )

 

[Unicorn]

Done that and people moan about me taking too long, Even with one i struggle at times my lifting capability isn't that great definitely not for 6m lengths either

 

[Unicorn]

This is the way that is seen to be done and if i get help im told to put in on my shoulder which really does hurt my shoulder. I don't agree with it at all but i guess being an apprentice you don't want to mess up or slow progress really. I don't work directly for this company im subbed out from the primary contractor who i can go to with any issues, There aware why im off work and its because of this issue so i plan on addressing it tomorrow and getting something sorted out so i don't have to risk injury to carry out my work. On other things anyhow i shouldn't even be doing this i should be learning something not just being used as a dogs body but that may be the solution to get me doing something else if im lucky.

 

[Unicorn]

Few weeks at it, Not finding it no easier but with me being off sick now in a lot of pain has miffed me off a lot to the point id want to sort something out. My manager may sort it but its how to word it to get something done. I don't want to go in all guns blazing demanding them change stuff but i want to get them to alter things for the benefit of me not getting injured so no downtime.

As to they get slapped hard if something happens.. I guess it has happened i have not been to work in two days because of an injury caused by manual handling.

As to your comment Glaucus i agree with that much but its not just sore as i wish it was. I have been doing that previously for afew weeks getting on with it painkillers and a lay down but now with what id deem as an actual injury i don't want to have another injury especially not on my back

 

[Unicorn]

The company i work for do take it seriously, the subcontractor doesn't. But then u play the game of getting someone else into a mess and they will make ur life hell. This is what i don't want to do at all

 

[Unicorn]

Chartered Safety advisor here

The principle contractor has a duty to manage the subcontractor, including their employees. This is detailed in law, as well as the requirement to assess and manage the risk. There are specific regs that deal with manual handling but I'd be focusing on the management of the task.

The fact of the matter is, there should be some form of object handling risk assessment on the task, which explains the risks and the control measures in place to reduce them. This will take in to account the Task, Individual, Load, Environment and Other factors (TILEO).

1) have you been shown this? Possibly as part of a site induction or toolbox talk?
2) are there no alternatives to carrying 2 at a time? I can't believe this is a condoned working practice given the carry distances.
3) have you raised you concerns to your employer? What have they said?

Keeping active is the best thing for back pain, but you will want to challenge this, before you do serious damage to your back.

If they let you go because you're "a trouble maker", I'd consider it a blessing as you don't want to be working for someone that would flaunt their legal duties and mock the welfare of their staff.

The method statement and risk assessments for the permits to even be issued had to state a manual lifting aid was being used which is blatant lies as there cutting back on costs at the expense of employee's health. I can easily go and sort this but at risk of putting a lot of people in deep **** which is something i don't enjoy doing but then also i don't like being hurt. Iv already cut my hours back to my minimum possible to deal with this atleast short term until i get into the swing of things again.

There is toolbox talks on manual handling but again these state mechanical lifting aids or two man lifts which again don't follow proper lifting procedure as they lift and carry items on there shoulder, two 6m sections of unistrut on your shoulder isn't nice bouncing around on a two man lift i must say.

As to raising my concerns im going to have to now iv had time off and i will be reporting it as an injury despite the culture of people wanting there accident records to be nice so your encouraged not to really report. Plus if it ever accounts to something further down the line i have some comeback

 

[Unicorn]

I'd be questioning why the RA states a lifting aid, if there isn't one available.

You shouldn't be concerned about reporting incidents, and certainly not about raising concerns. It's your legal duty to report h&s shortcomings to your employer, so you'd be actually "condoning" the bad practice if you didn't. How many others are in a similar position that could be harmed by not reporting it? Think about that.

Sounds to me like there are cultural issues at play, which are never easy to deal with. If you can speak to the principle contractor / your employer and get them to look at the task with you, they may see the issue from your perspective.

Cost cutting is not a legal defence. The law states that risks must be reduced "so far as reasonably practicable", which (from what you've said) they can't demonstrate. Don't go quoting law to them, they don't like that D) but if you have a union representative, you may be able to raise your concerns through them.

The principal contractor is my employer, I work directly for them but im subbed out to other companies for periods of time to hit my relevant units to complete my apprenticeship. Ill speak to my manager i report to tomorrow as he knows why iv been off as iv been reporting my sickness days to him and inform him of the reasoning behind it and see if something can get done about it and see if im within my rights to refuse to do it and they would back me up if it is excessive. I am always told if there is any issues don't do the work and come report to someone at offices and it will be sorted out but how much of that is talk and how much is what they would really do? Debatable


@LOAM

That was one idea of mine but then the specifications wouldn't work and more couplers etc would be needed so was told that can't happen. Id be happy to take afew 1m lengths up all day long id have a nice day doing that as it wouldn't be too heavy or too awkward for the stairs.

 

[Unicorn]

Your employer (being the principle contractor) still has overall duty of care, so that's a good start (that you can go direct to them).

You are within your rights to not place yourself in a situation of harm. Section 7 of HSWA 1974 covers you here.



If they're a big company they should take your concern seriously, especially if you have a workplace related injury.

Thats good information right there, I won't go quoting stuff tomorrow as i am aware no one likes it when your prepared to go full on at someone with too much ammo. But i shall discuss it tomorrow and get something sorted out. I shall update the thread anyhow when iv got something ironed out or if iv gotten sacked for being the one causing trouble. Although im aware its much harder to sack an apprentice im sure they would figure it out

 

[Unicorn]

Update from today, Complained to company health and safety the hammer went down on the subcontractor the manager has gone in an ****ed off mood with me about it but i told him im not being injured for no one and he will have to deal with it. Iv been instructed not to carry anything heavy anymore until i feel suitably capable to do so and even then don't push myself.

Meesh bakka there single lengths with a 2.5mm thickness to the 3 sides, slotted also. Our manufacturers sheets i checked today claimed 18kg each so i wasn't far off.

The fact of short while isn't there, Iv been doing this for 9 hours a day (after breaks etc) for weeks.

To other bits, Yeah 6th floor approx but we do it on meters due to incomplete work and more floors pop up etc.

Agree on the whole scared for job situation.. a double ended ring spanner (23mm and 21mm so u get an idea of size) flew down the staircase today missing me and another operative by a meter if that bounced and carried on to the ground, Luckily and unluckily for him a customer representive was on site and saw the whole thing. He lost his job then and there as height violations and tool drops etc are a big issue on this site and they instantly red card you for them. But what if he wasnt there.. Would anyone actually report them or just carry on and hope u avoid death or damage day to day

 

[Unicorn]

All it takes is one serious incident to stop a job and put a lot of people in hot water or worse. Iv never heard of a company director/manager etc getting jail time for an injury or death but im sure its happened and so it should if its there failings that took someones life or eyesight or arm etc.

Things are by NAECI book here so i suppose worst comes to worst u know u will get compensation but u don't want to risk it i guess.