scope:

This Business Process applies to all business units within Network Rail where we undertake activities which expose employees² to risks from manual handling. Where Network Rail contracts services to external companies, they are required to have their own arrangements for complying with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended). However, Network Rail is required to manage the risks that might be imposed on external contractors from materials, components, contracting arrangements and the constraints of the railway environment that Network Rail directly specifies or provides.

This Business Process covers:

a) accountabilities and responsibilities for the various aspects of managing manual handling risk;

b) principles and requirements for reduction of manual handling;

c) the processes to be applied for assessing manual handling risk, implementing actions to reduce risks and for maintaining/updating records of these;

d) high level requirements for providing information relevant to manual handling operations;

e) high level requirements for providing training related to manual handling operations.

This Business Process applies to all manual handling operations that fall under the scope of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended). The definition of "Manual Handling Operation" is provided in clause 3. However, this Business Process may also be applied to other manual handling operations that lie outside of the strict definition within the regulations where they are identified as posing a risk of injury within a Work Activity Risk Assessment (WARA - NR/L2/OHS/00102).

NOTE: For example the regulations exclude the risks of musculoskeletal injury when using tools or machines, including operation of levers, chain saws, spanners etc. (except where the load is supported in a static posture), but these are included within scope of this Business Process when identified as posing a manual handling risk within a WARA.

The one exception to this is operation of signalling equipment and point switches using mechanical levers, as these are covered by NR/L3/OCS/045/2-18.

Consideration of manual handling risk needs to take into account a wide range of factors that not only include the weight and characteristics of the load but also the manual handling task, individual capabilities, and the environment within which the activity takes place.

Purpose

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) require that Network Rail as an employer avoids manual handling wherever possible. Where this cannot be achieved, the residual/remaining risks should be assessed and reduced "so far as is reasonably practicable" and suitable management processes put in place to minimise the risk of injury.

This Business Process allows Network Rail to:

a) meet the requirements of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended); and

b) eliminate or reduce the risk of injury from manual handling operations across its range of activities; from heavy engineering tasks, through operational activities, to office environments.

² In this context, "employees" includes labour only sub-contractor staff operating under the direction and direct supervision of Network Rail staff