Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 — Safe Handling of Industrial Cleaning Equipment

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended 2002) implement the EU Manual Handling Directive and place duties on employers to avoid hazardous manual handling operations where reasonably practicable, and where avoidance is not possible, to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Manual handling injuries are the most common cause of workplace injury in the UK, accounting for over a third of all workplace injuries reported under RIDDOR. For cleaning and maintenance contractors, manual handling of industrial cleaning equipment -- pressure washers, dust extractors, industrial vacuums, hose reels and accessory kits -- is a daily activity with real musculoskeletal injury risk if not properly managed.

The regulatory requirements

Avoid -- wherever reasonably practicable, avoid the need for employees to undertake manual handling operations that involve a risk of injury
Assess -- where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided, carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk, taking into account the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability
Reduce -- take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable, including providing mechanical aids, reorganising the task, improving the working environment and providing training

The HSE TILE framework -- Task, Individual, Load, Environment -- is the standard risk assessment tool for manual handling. For industrial cleaning equipment, each element is relevant: the task (how the equipment is carried, positioned and connected), the individual (physical capability, training, health conditions), the load (weight, size, awkwardness, handles), and the environment (stairs, access, floor surface, space constraints).

Manual handling of industrial cleaning equipment -- the practical issues

Pressure washers

Industrial pressure washers range from compact 15kg units to large trailer-mounted machines. For van-based cleaning contractors, loading and unloading pressure washers from vans multiple times per day is a significant manual handling risk -- particularly where the van floor height requires lifting over a sill. Wheeled machines reduce the handling risk for flat surfaces but stairs, kerbs and uneven ground require lifting. A formal manual handling assessment for van loading and unloading is required where machine weight and frequency of handling create a significant risk.

Industrial vacuum cleaners and dust extractors

Industrial M-Class and H-Class dust extractors can weigh 15-30kg when full. Carrying a full H-Class extractor up stairs on a construction site or in a social housing block is a significant manual handling task. The design of the extractor -- handles, wheels, centre of gravity -- materially affects the manual handling risk. The V-TUF MIDI HSV and GRINDEX range are designed with handling in mind for van-based and stair-climbing applications.

Hose reels and accessories

Pressure washer hose reels, particularly 20-30 metre reels, can be heavy and awkward to carry. The combination of weight and awkward shape increases musculoskeletal injury risk. Wall-mounted or vehicle-mounted hose reels reduce handling risk for fixed and vehicle-based operations.

Hot water pressure washers

Hot water pressure washers with diesel burners are typically heavier than cold water equivalents. The additional weight of fuel and water when machines are being positioned or moved must be included in the handling assessment.

Equipment design and manual handling risk reduction

Equipment selection affects manual handling risk. When specifying industrial cleaning equipment, consider:

Machine weight and centre of gravity
Wheel size and terrain suitability for the working environment
Handle position, grip quality and ergonomics
Whether the machine can be used without being lifted -- trolley-mounted, vehicle-mounted or wheeled
Whether accessories and consumables (hoses, bags, filters) add significant weight during transport

PUWER 1998 -- equipment suitability requirements