The working party, which is supported by the Health and Safety Executive, looked at several areas, including the design of buildings and decking, as well as the use of mechanical aids for the physical installation of decking. In addition, an industry wide fact-finding survey was carried out to gain the views of decking operatives and the results were analysed by the Health and Safety Laboratory.
The study by the working party concludes that the degree of manual handling and associated risks can be greatly reduced by designers taking account of manual handling issues in their designs, good planning by contractors, off site cutting and good on site manual handling practice. The working party has prepared the following guidance for designers, contractors and decking workers.
SIG.00 Guidance on Manual Handling - Introduction
SIG.01 Manual Handling Survey – A summary of the results and conclusions
SIG.02 Off site cutting procedures – A case study of the benefits
SIG.03 Material loading out and positioning guidelines for Principal/Sub-Contractors
SIG.04 Manual handling – Advice to structural engineers. – Guidance on designing out the risks
SIG.05 Manual handling of decking sheets – Reducing the handling risk – Guidance for decking operatives on manual handling good practice when laying decking.
The guidance is available to down load from the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) and the Metal Cladding & Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA) websites.
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