Regulations

There is a specific requirement to consider ergonomics/human factors in some UK legislation, listed below. Most of this applies across all industry sectors, but some is specific to the pharmaceutical industry. HSE and other organisations have produced guidance that is intended to help you tackle issues and comply with the relevant legislation. The information produced by HSE is either free for immediate download or available to order at low cost.

• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SMSR)
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) (as amended 2002)
• Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 (DSER) (as amended 2002)
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SMSR)

These regulations place duties upon those who supply machinery and safety components, including manufacturers, importers and others in the supply chain. They set out the essential requirements which must be met before machinery or safety components may be supplied in the UK.

There are basically three steps to dealing with the requirements:

• The responsible person should ensure that machinery and safety components satisfy the relevant essential health and safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and that, where appropriate, relevant conformity assessment procedures have been carried out;
• The responsible person must issue a declaration of conformity (or a declaration of incorporation) which is issued with the finished product so that it is available to the user. This will contain various details such as the manufacturer's address, the machinery type and serial number, and the harmonised European, or other standards, used in design; and
• When the first two steps have been satisfactorily completed, the responsible person or person supplying or assembling the final product should affix the CE marking if they are satisfied it is safe.

The HSE is responsible for enforcing these Regulations in relation to machinery supplied for use at work. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have the policy responsibility for these Regulations. More detailed information can be sought from the Department of Trade and Industry Business in Europe Hotline Tel : 0870 1502500, and two guides [ Product Standards: Machinery: Guidance notes on the UK Regulations: May 1995 URN 95/650; Product Standards: The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (As Amended): Frequently Asked Questions - DTI View: April 1998 URN 98/644] are also available from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992 No. 3073]
• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SMSR) [SI 1994 No. 2063]

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Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) (as amended 2002)

Lifting and handling loads can cause MSDs, such as back pain. The Regulations require employers to:

• avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable;
• assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided - for example by using an assessment checklist (an example is included in the back of the guidance on the Regulations);
• reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

Other areas covered include the task, the load, the working environment, individual capabilities and employer's duties. Revised Manual Handling guidance was published in March 2004. The revision brings it up to date with improvements in the knowledge of the risks from manual handling and how to avoid them.

• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 [SI 1992 No. 2793]
• The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 [SI 2002 No. 2174]

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Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 (DSER) (as amended 2002)

Working with computer screens and other display screen equipment can lead to upper limb disorders or back pain, as well as stress or visual fatigue. To comply with the Regulations employers should:

• decide who is covered by the regulations;
• assess workstations and reduce any risks found;
• ensure equipment, furniture, the work environment and software meet minimum requirements;
• plan for breaks or changes of activity;
• provide eye and eyesight tests to display screen users who ask for them;
• provide training and information.

Following minor changes to the Regulations revised guidance was published in February 2003.

• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992 No. 2792]
• The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 [SI 2002 No. 2174]

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Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

In general terms, PUWER requires that equipment provided for use at work is:

• suitable for the intended use;
• safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case;
• used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training; and
• accompanied by suitable safety measures, eg protective devices, markings, warnings

Full details of the requirements of PUWER are contained in the supporting Approved Code of Practice [ Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. L22 HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1626 6 ].

• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 [SI 1992 No. 2932]

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992

The Regulations require PPE; for example, safety helmets, gloves, eye protection and high-visibility clothing, to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to workers’ health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.

The Regulations require PPE to be:

• properly assessed before use to ensure its suitability for the work being done;
• maintained and stored properly;
• provided with adequate instruction on how to use it safely; and
• worn correctly by the user.

• The Personal Protective Equipment (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 [SI1994 No. 2326]

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