Been asked to consider a manual handling task, and whether a risk assessment is necessary. I've formulated my own opinions, but would like to canvass those of my learned H&S colleagues. The task is only undertaken a couple of times a month, and takes about 20-30 minutes. It involves moving (between 7 & 28 dependant on batch size) 25kg bags of ingredients from a pallet into a hopper. The pallet is placed next to said hopper during the task, and a scissor lift is provided to enable the operator to adjust the level of the pallet as the load goes down. What do you think? Risk assess or not?

You have risk assessed it, how else did you determine this effective control method - guess work? "The pallet is placed next to said hopper during the task, and a scissor lift is provided to enable the operator to adjust the level of the pallet as the load goes down"

I would agree with redken, you have assessed the risk, and provided a control measure, added to the fact this activity is seldom carried out is in itself a control measure. So you have brought the likelihood and severity down.

I think you misunderstand me SP, the scissor lift only lifts the ingredients, not the operative too. It is however well within it's SWL. Thanks Ian, that confirms things in my mind, I'd already run through the MAC tool, and decided it didn't need a detailed assessment. Thanks to the other posters also, it's always good to get a second opinion if you're not sure.

Sounds very similar to our situation, putting 25kg bags of ingredients into a mixer. Ours is a daily occurrence though and there have been MH challenges in the past. We have a pallet lifter to enable the operative to slide the bags from the pallet at a convenient height without having to lift manually, appears to be working when monitored. Frankc, probably using a pallet lifter, not a MEWP scissor lift.