Manual handling relates to the moving of items either by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling and is one of the most common causes of injury at work.

Manual handling activities can also cause Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as upper and lower limb pain/disorders, joint and repetitive strain injuries of various types. The link below is to the HSE's Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Disorders website's where there is information to help when manual handling activities are planned so as to prevent injury:-

• Manual handling at work
• Manual Handling assessment chart (The MAC tool)

 

Preventing Upper Limb Disorders in the laboratory

A variety of musculoskeletal disorders involving stress to tendons, muscles, nerves and bones of the upper extremities can occur due to work tasks that involve rapid, repetitive and awkward movements. These disorders are termed Upper Limb Disorders (ULD’s). Laboratory tasks that have the potential to cause ULD’s include pipetting, microscope dial adjustments, use of incorrectly positioned microscope eyepieces, opening / closing sample tubes.

Queen Mary Documents

Manual Handling Policy 

Preventing Upper Limb Disorders in the Laboratory Guidance  

Manual Handling Training

For information on please visit or Training page  

For Advice and Assistance at QMUL, contact the H&S Manager / Advisor for your Faculty / PS or the subject lead at http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/contact-us/

All H&S staff can be contacted via the help desk at hs-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk