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Manual Handling Risk Assessment for
MOPPING
Activity
Potential
Hazards
Risk
Rating
Control Measures
Responsibility
Some forceful forward
movement of the mop
and also forces applied
when moving the bucket
Shoulder and arm
muscular strain
Medium Make sure manual handling training has been
provided, including the correct use of the mop
and movement of the bucket (avoid lifting, slide
instead). Ensure mop handle is an appropriate
length and weight. Ensure bucket is in good
operational order if wet mopping to ensure water
is appropriately wrung out.
Rotate employees between tasks.
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
Cleaner to ensure they alternate
their duties to provide
appropriate breaks.
Bending under or
around objects when
reaching with the mop
Muscular strain to
shoulder, neck, arm.
Low Manual handling training at induction and follow
up by supervisor where identified.
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
Constant holding of the
mop at tension
Muscular/tendon
stress or pressure
Low Make sure manual handling training has been
provided, including the correct use of handgrips
when using the mop
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
When large areas are
being cleaned,
sustained mopping
occurs.
Muscular tiredness
through repetition
Low Rest breaks must be provided where work is
over 30 mins. Five minutes spent on a different
task before returning to the mopping.
Rotate employees between tasks.
Cleaner to ensure they alternate
their duties to provide
appropriate breaks.
Pushing of the bucket
may be difficult on some
surface areas
Muscular, arms and
shoulders
Low Seek assistance to work as a team if practical.
Otherwise try and slide rather than lift object.
Provide service trolleys with larger wheels for
carrying mop bucket.
Cleaner to ensure they alternate
inform their Supervisor if bucket
cannot be slid along surface.
Lifting to fill or empty the
bucket may prove a
difficult manoeuvre,
depending on the area
and facilities provided
Muscular, arms and
shoulders
Low Avoid lifting where possible. Slide along surface
or use aides where appropriate.
If heavy, team lift between two persons of similar
height.
Provide low level basin for cleaning and filling
mop buckets or ground level drain.
Cleaner to ensure they alternate
inform their Supervisor if bucket
cannot be slid along surface.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment for
EMPTYING FOOD SCRAPS INTO RUBBISH BINS
Activity
Potential
Hazards
Risk
Rating
Control Measures
Responsibility
Lifting food rubbish to
empty into rubbish bins
Repetitive strain
with bending and
lifting.
Medium Provide bins within close proximity to rubbish.
Do not overfill bins as they become too heavy.
Provide training, information and supervision in
the correct manual handling techniques.
Ensure adequate rest breaks are provided.
Cleaner to ensure they alternate
inform their Supervisor if bins
are insufficient or too heavy.
Holding rubbish in left
hand whilst holding bin
open with right hand
Hand/finger strain
Tenosynovitis
Medium Provide training, information and supervision in
the correct manual handling techniques.
Rotate employees between tasks by ensuring
adequate manpower is available.
Cleaning company to jointly
review activities and determine
aids as necessary.