# Safety Services

**Source**: https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/man_hand/
**Parent**: https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/dse/

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# Safety Services

- [Policy & Arrangements](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/policy/)
- [Topic A-Z](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/topic_a-z/)
- [Safety toolkits](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/)
- [Safety news](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/news/)
- [Documents](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/handsdocs/)
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- [About us](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/)

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## Manual Handling

Manual handling it is one of the most common causes of injury at work and this toolkit will help you plan and [assess the risks relating to activities](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/man_hand/assessingrisks/) so as to prevent injury.

Manual handling activities can also cause [Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/ergonomicsmsds/) such as upper and lower limb pain/disorders, joint and repetitive strain injuries of various types.

Some tasks may require a more detailed manual handling assessment.

The HSE have specific assessment tools to do this.

- [MAC tool – for lifting, carrying, lowering tasks](http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/index.htm "link to HSE MAC tool")
- [V-MAC tool – where load weights vary (used with the MAC tool)](http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/vmac/index.htm "link to HSE VMAC tool")
- [ART tool – for repetitive upper limb tasks](http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/uld/art/index.htm "link to HSE ART tool")
- [Push/Pull tool (RAPP) – when moving loads by pushing and pulling](http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/pushpull/index.htm "link to HSE RAPP tool")

See also the [HSE website on manual handling](https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manual-handling/index.htm "link to HSE website") for further information as required.

> Manual handling: ‘...any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force’Manual Handling Regs

#### Training

- Training in manual handling techniques may be available locally from a competent colleague.
- Check locally before booking on a course in the [Training Catalogue](https://app.manchester.ac.uk/training/default.aspx "link to Training Catalogue") (use search term 'manual handling')

#### Contact us

- [Email us](mailto:catherine.davidge@manchester.ac.uk)
- +44 (0) 161 306 6000

#### Find us

[The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK](http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/travel/)

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