1.A6.1 FOREWORD

In many countries manual handling legislation has been introduced with a view to reducing the number of injuries as the result of manually handling loads. Injury can be the result of many factors, from attempts to manually handle excessive weight or bad lifting practices and postures through to repetitive strain injuries from repeatedly performing the same task with even very light loads. The basic principle adopted by this code is in line with legislative requirements where they exist calls for an assessment to be made of all lifting operations and appropriate steps to be taken to reduce or remove the risk of such injuries. One of the best ways of reducing such risks is to introduce a mechanical handling device or lifting appliance.

In any event, mechanical handling devices and lifting appliances are commonplace in lifting and moving loads of all weights in industry. This appendix of the code offers guidance on the selection and safe use of specific lifting appliances and the first step in their selection must be an assessment of the operation to ensure the correct type and size of appliance is selected. Careful consideration must be given to selection as a bad choice can be costly, result in the selected item being under-utilized or, in the worst case, be a danger to personnel.