Health, reporting and training — Manual Handling Practice

Sample questions

1. 01An apprentice says musculoskeletal disorders just means bad backs. Which parts of the body does HSE say MSDs cover?

   • AThe lower back only, after one heavy lift at work
   • BThe hands and wrists only, from power tool use
   • CThe back, the neck and upper limbs, and the lower limbs
   • DThe eyes and ears, from dust and noise on site

   Why: HSE uses MSDs for injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues of the back, the upper limbs and neck, and the lower limbs. Manual handling injuries are one part of that wider group. Limiting it to the lower back, or to the hands, misses most of what HSE describes, and eyes and ears are not musculoskeletal.

2. 02An electrician mentions a few things they have noticed during a long rewire. Which of them does HSE describe as a possible MSD symptom?

   • ARinging in the ears after a day of drilling
   • BSore eyes after working in a dusty loft
   • CA rash where a dusty board rubbed the skin
   • DTingling, numbness or swelling in a limb

   Why: HSE describes MSD symptoms in general terms, including pain, aching, discomfort, numbness, tingling and swelling, with reduced ability to do tasks. A rash, ringing ears and sore eyes may need attention, but they are not musculoskeletal and belong to other risks.

3. 03An employed electrician has aching wrists after a week of terminating but does not want to make a fuss. Which reason does HSE give workers for reporting symptoms early?

   • AIt is the only way to qualify for sick pay from work
   • BOthers may have the same trouble without the firm knowing
   • CReporting moves the employer’s legal duties onto them
   • DAches always clear faster once they are written down

   Why: HSE gives workers three reasons to report symptoms as soon as possible: help may be available and some problems become long term without it, the employer can check whether the work is the problem, and others may have the same trouble without the employer realising. Reporting does not move the employer’s duties onto the worker, and HSE does not link it to sick pay or say that writing an ache down makes it heal.