I work in a low risk environment, but manual handling is something that is covered by 2 assessments 1. Lifting heavy objects on site and the other is handling service users. I have looked and there are a lot of tasks that require manual handling, even looking at laundry etc. I am not going to the extremes of carrying a tray of tea, laptop or a file, but how far do you go. I was just going to add manual handling to the task assessment, but remeber being audited some years ago and they wanted to see it separate.

I do not know what type of work you are involved in, but in my experience manual handling involving service users is seldom low risk.

Have you tried running the tasks through a quick MAC to see if any need a proper risk assessment?

My view would be to do general manual handling risk assessments for the following types of tasks, laundry tasks, shopping, pushing/pulling wheelchairs, moving furniture, moving a portable hoist, water bottles, lifting a wheelchair in/out of a vehicle, stationary deliveries etc... I would then conduct separate handling assessment for the use of equipment with the service users, such as fixed and portable hoists, stand aids, elk, etc… This is our approach to MH risk assessments. On a personal note, I am not a fan of the MAC tool, I think it’s too overcomplicated. Note: Staff should not lift or load bear another persons weight. Also manual handling in the health and social care sector is not low risk. Apologies in advanced if I am making an assumption that this is the industry you are in.