Posted By Kevin West The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 which amended the Manual handling Regs now say: The relevant factors in determining the appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury, particularly where there is a risk of back injury, are now expressly set out in the regulations, and include: „h The physical suitability of the individual to carry out the operations „h The clothing, footwear and other personal effects the individual is wearing „h The individuals knowledge and training. „h The results of any relevant risk assessment carried out under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. „h Whether the individual is in a group which has been identified as being especially at risk „h The results of any health surveillance carried out. When a risk assessment is completed it has to take into account what the person is wearing. So in short. If what they are wearing means that they cannot carry out the manual handling operation safely then they are not required to carry it out. I know its not exactly what you wanted to hear but thats how it is. Kev

Posted By John D Crosby Steve Having been involved in manual handling training for over 16 years the only advice I can offer is to advise that staff wearing skirts should either not lift or wear what I am told is called an 'A' line skirt which essentially is flowing rather than tight. Incidently don't assume that anyone wearing trousers can lift properly. Trousers that are relatively tight can prevent the knees or hips from moving properly.'Baggy' trousers are definitely better. Cheers John C