Manual handling injury report template

Writing up a manual handling

Most manual handling injuries aren’t one big lift. They’re the fortieth lift on a Thursday. The report should capture the task and the repetition around it as much as the moment the back went.

Fields to capture

Handling injuries sit between a task and a body. These fields describe both.

• Load: what it was, its weight if known, shape and how it was gripped
• Posture: bent, twisted, reaching or kneeling
• Distance carried and the height lifted from and to
• Task and how many times it had been repeated that shift
• Aids available and whether they were used: trolley, hoist or second person
• Body part affected and when the pain started
• Floor condition and space to move

What a good record looks like

A good record asks about the task, not the person. It captures how often the lift was done, what aids were nearby and why they weren’t used. That points to a fix like a trolley or a better shelf height.

Where reports go wrong

Reports often say “lifted something heavy” and stop. They skip the repetition and the layout. Strains are also reported late because pain comes on slowly, so the record should allow the onset time to be added.

Serious injuries and the regulator

Most strains are recorded internally. A serious injury can still reach the regulator, so the notifiable incidents page explains the triggers. Check it if the injury is severe or the person is taken to hospital.

Where Haznote fits

Haznote lets the worker record what they were doing and when the pain began by voice, with a photo of the load or the area. A manager confirms the category. It doesn’t assess ergonomics. A person trained to do that works from the record.