Posted By Sean Fraser Since no-one else has chipped in previously, I'll take a stab at it. Firstly - why have you no duty of care for manual handling? Surely it would be your joint responsibilities to ensure that there were no unnecessary barriers to safe handling (circuitous routes extending carrying time, force required, sudden and dramatic changes in temperature or environment etc. etc.) just as much as it is the responsibility of the band to have adequate lifting aids, planned their route and ensured a safe and appropriate drop-off point. Secondly - are they breaching the 1st or 2nd action levels? If not, there is no problem. If so, then it may be more complicated than we can deal with here. Note that under the '89 Regs (s.13) it is possible to seek an exemption certificate from the HSE - perhaps best advice is therefore to contact them and seek advice. You cannot be the only one that has been in this position. The British Musicians Union has a health & safety section - try contacting them for advice. Link: http://www.musiciansunio....uk/health/welcome.shtml