Rank: New forum user 
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We have ongoing assessments of our moving and handling but are being told we should now use the MAC assessment tool on the HSE web site. Does anyone use it and how do you get on with it. Many of our units to not have access to a computer and it seems you need one to operate it. I looks pretty involved I would appreciate any comments.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Graham,
Have used the MAC tool but did find some limitations to it, such as we have a calibration lab where our guys move at most 25kg weights by hand x6 for a measurement over 0.5 metres, the end score puts them in the green zone. BUT the MAC tool does not cater for very short duration activities that are repeated many times a day which can leave a newbie to the cal lab knackered!
So suggest do use the tool but also add your own assmt to it to cover the bits not satisfactorily by MAC.
If interested I have an example of MAC in use from when I did my Dip course and the back up form I used.
Badger
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I use MAC and if you allow for its limitations and use it as a screening tool it can be very useful. In my experience HSE inspectors are keen to see MAC too!
The way I use it is to screen all tasks to identify high risk tasks / parts of task that require action, this way you can prioritise actions. Rember the results can be very subjective, just because its green doesn't mean you don't need to do anything - same for red.
The HSE provide a MAC booklet and the assessment can be completed without the use of a computer! They also provide a Pdf version that provides colours in addition to scores - however this cannot be saved unless you have a posh pdf reader due to the copyright imposed by adobe. However you can print screen and paste into a word doc etc.
I also like MAC as the colours are great to illustrate different controls - A high risk task may have 5 reads - buy a lifting machine and they all go green!
Sorry I have to rush off - if you want more info, just ask
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Graham,
We use the MAC tool in a similar way as described by teh boy.
It's a good visual tool which allows you to identify and focus your effort on higher risk activities.
The HSE's leaflet on the MAC tool (http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg383.pdf) is good and straighforward, you can print them off and get people to hand write the assessments. There is no need for a computer, although I think depending on the number of activities you end up scoring an excel spreadsheet might help you put together the "bigger picture".
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Rank: New forum user
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Graham,
I assume this is for the moving and handling of persons as opposed to objects. We work closely with the NHS on this and have based ours on their moving and handling passport. Copies of various NHS trust versions can be found on the internet. We used this and developed our own referring to the manual handling regs and the MAC tool and the guide to the manual handling of people published by BackCare.
We would nt use the MAC tool for the moving and handling of persons as it is too object biased.
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