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decimomal		#1 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:17:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		I thought I would share this and canvas opinion. The facts are limited to a gravedigger hurting his back whislt digging a grave by hand. It appears that he took time off sick and is claimning for injuries. The question is to whether this would be a failure to comply with Reg 4 of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Any thoughts? Ta
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bob youel		#2 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:35:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		No If you read the regulations very carefully you will understand the reason for my comment Additionally grave digging has far more to it than simply changing from human effort to machine effort re the MHO regs especially in older / awkward cemetery sites so all the other factors need to be considered as well before you decide on your operational systems Regards
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decimomal		#3 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:35:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		To put it another way - is digging by hand Manual Handling? We are guessing that it is (Physical Movement of a Load By Hand or Bodily Force etc).
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decimomal		#4 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		bob youel wrote: No If you read the regulations very carefully you will understand the reason for my comment/quote] Thank you Bob; my initial instincts were also no but the insuer thinks yes - can you give me a pointer on what you mean by your post. Many thanks
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safetyamateur		#5 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:48:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Definitely manual handling but, whether there's a failure to comply with Reg 4? Which bit? Either way your investigation will help you decide.
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decimomal		#6 Posted : 02 December 2011 09:58:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		safetyamateur wrote: Definitely manual handling but, whether there's a failure to comply with Reg 4? Which bit quote] Avoidance of Manual Handling (by mechainical means). This is not always possible due to established graves in the vicinity, so manual digging is the only option. This raises another question; that of whether it is a one or two person task.
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Murray18822		#7 Posted : 02 December 2011 10:05:54(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Just my opinion but I'd say that whether or not it's a one/two person task is about the capabilities of the individual, e.g. age, physical condition (existing physical condition that may be exacerbated by the digging). Some might say it's two preson task - just thinking about the possibilities of the sides collapsing.
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safetyamateur		#8 Posted : 02 December 2011 10:34:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Hate myself for saying this but it's all down to the risk assessment. Takes in all the things worth considering (TILE) and leaves you to decide what's RP. How did this guy injure himself?
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decimomal		#9 Posted : 02 December 2011 10:36:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Risk assessment in place. Accident report just says Experienced Back Pain whilst preparing a grave.
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safetyamateur		#10 Posted : 02 December 2011 10:41:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Guess you want to know whether this was a cumulative injury (slipped disc) or something like a strain/sprain. If the risk assessment's still valid, it's just the 'individual' bit that needs attention.
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Ron Hunter		#11 Posted : 02 December 2011 13:21:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Presumably you'll be conducting a fitness for work assessment via your Occ Health Provider - you wouldn't want to be placing this individual at further risk. Is the spoil lifted out, or is the person expected to shovel this over their head - that's more than "digging"! I do hope you don't have your people working in un-shored full-depth excavations.......
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