What Does MHOR Stand For? A Guide to Manual Handling and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations
- Slanjava Learning Ltd.
- Oct 11
- 6 min read
If you work in health and safety, facilities management, or the care sector, you may have come across the term MHOR. But what does it mean, and why is it important for workplace safety?
This post explores what MHOR stands for, why it matters, and how the Manual Handling Operations Regulations apply to everyday tasks across UK workplaces.
What Does MHOR Stand For and What Does It Mean?
MHOR stands for the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, a common abbreviation for The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended). These regulations were introduced under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to reduce injuries caused by manual handling tasks (HSE, 2020).
Manual handling means transporting or supporting a load, including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving it by hand or bodily force (Legislation.gov.uk, 1992).
Loads can include objects, people, or animals, and poor handling techniques are a leading cause of workplace injuries in the UK.
Why Was MHOR Introduced?
Manual handling injuries are among the most common work-related health problems. They account for a significant proportion of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which affect the muscles, joints, tendons, and other soft tissues (HSE, 2023).
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) were introduced to:
Place clear legal duties on employers to manage handling risks
Reduce the number of injuries and long-term health issues
Encourage the use of mechanical aids and safer systems of work
Support consistent safety standards across sectors
In short, MHOR was designed to make manual handling safer, more consistent, and more accountable.
Who Does MHOR Apply To?
MHOR applies to all employers, employees, and self-employed persons in Great Britain where manual handling may present a risk of injury (Legislation.gov.uk, 1992).
It covers any activity involving manual handling operations, such as moving boxes in a warehouse, assisting individuals in care settings, or carrying stock in retail environments.
Importantly, MHOR does not specify a universal “safe lifting weight.” Instead, employers must assess each task individually, considering the load, the person, the task, and the environment (HSE, 2020).
The Four Principles of Manual Handling: The Key Duties Under MHOR
Under Regulation 4 of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended), employers must follow what are often referred to as the four principles of manual handling.
These principles outline the legal and practical steps needed to minimise risk and ensure safe handling at work:
Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable.
Assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
Reduce the risk of injury from those operations as far as reasonably practicable.
Review manual handling risk assessments when there is reason to believe they are no longer valid, or when there have been significant changes to work activities, equipment, or personnel.
These four principles of manual handling, avoid, assess, reduce, and review, form the foundation of MHOR compliance and underpin safe working practices across all sectors (Legislation.gov.uk, 1992; HSE, 2020).
Naming Conventions: Moving and Handling, Moving and Assisting, and Safer People Handling
Across different sectors, you may hear a variety of terms used to describe manual handling practices. While they all refer to similar principles, the terminology often reflects the context, the individuals involved, and the type of handling required. Understanding these naming conventions helps ensure clarity and compliance with MHOR and wider health and safety guidance.
Moving and Handling
This is the broadest term and is used across most industries to describe the manual handling of objects, materials, or people. It encompasses lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lowering, and supporting loads by hand or bodily force. Under MHOR, all forms of manual handling that present a risk of injury must be properly assessed and managed (Legislation.gov.uk, 1992).
Moving and Assisting
Commonly used within health and social care, moving and assisting refers specifically to supporting individuals who require help with mobility or transfers, such as moving from bed to chair, or using a hoist. The term highlights the person-centred nature of handling in care settings, where maintaining dignity, comfort, and independence is as important as physical safety.
Safer People Handling
This term is often used within NHS trusts, local authorities, and care training contexts. It aligns closely with moving and assisting, but places additional emphasis on ergonomics, risk reduction, and the use of equipment such as slide sheets, hoists, or transfer belts. The word “safer” reinforces a proactive approach to both worker and service user wellbeing, reducing musculoskeletal injury and promoting best practice (HSE, 2020).
Regardless of the term used, the four principles of manual handling – avoid, assess, reduce, and review – remain the foundation for safe and compliant practice across all workplaces.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment: The TILE Approach
When assessing risk, a common tool is the TILE or TILEO method, which helps identify risk factors:
Task – How the task is performed (twisting, reaching, repetition)
Individual – The person’s capability, experience, and health
Load – The size, shape, weight, and stability of the item being handled
Environment – Conditions such as floor surface, space, lighting, temperature
Other – Use of personal protective equipment or external influences
Using TILE ensures a consistent and evidence-based approach to identifying risks (HSE, 2020).
Employer and Employee Responsibilities
Employers Must:
Avoid unnecessary manual handling by redesigning tasks where possible
Carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for unavoidable tasks
Provide mechanical aids such as hoists or trolleys
Offer manual handling training and information about loads
Review assessments regularly, especially after incidents or workplace changes
Employees Must:
Follow the systems of work and training provided
Use mechanical aids correctly and report defects
Take reasonable care of their own health and that of others
Inform their employer about any handling hazards or health concerns (HSE, 2020)
Best Practice for MHOR Compliance
To maintain compliance with MHOR and promote safer workplaces:
Integrate manual handling training into induction and refresher programmes
Keep work areas tidy and ensure adequate space for handling
Rotate staff to prevent repetitive strain
Use risk assessment templates and regularly review them
Encourage a safety culture where staff report issues early
Employers should also ensure training is refreshed periodically to reflect any changes in tasks or equipment.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with MHOR can lead to:
Legal action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Financial penalties and enforcement notices
Injury or long-term ill health for staff
Reputational damage and reduced staff morale
A proactive approach to manual handling not only prevents harm but also improves efficiency, morale, and productivity.
Summary
To summarise:
MHOR stands for the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended)
It requires employers to avoid, assess, reduce, and review manual handling risks
Both employers and employees share responsibility for safe practices
Regular training, effective risk assessments, and appropriate equipment are key to compliance
Tools to Support Manual Handling Awareness
Understanding safe movement is easier when learners can visualise the impact of poor technique. Our Intervertebral Disc Model provides a clear, hands-on way to demonstrate how slipped or herniated discs can occur during incorrect lifting. For practical support with dressing and movement, the Fisherman’s Legs Pro Dress Assist Pack helps individuals maintain independence and reduce strain during daily activities. Both tools are ideal for training, demonstration, or workplace education.
How Slanjava Learning Ltd Can Help
At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we deliver accredited Moving and Assisting of People and Manual Handling Train the Trainer courses across Scotland and the wider UK.
Our courses align with MHOR and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring your staff have the skills and confidence to handle safely.
Every course booking also helps us plant a tree in partnership with JUST ONE Tree, supporting a safer and more sustainable world.
Kind regards,
Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others
-slàinte mhath-
References
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2020) Manual Handling at Work: A Brief Guide (INDG143). Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf (Accessed: 11 October 2025).
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2023) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Statistics in Great Britain, 2023. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/msd.htm (Accessed: 11 October 2025).
Legislation.gov.uk (1992) Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2793). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2793/contents/made (Accessed: 11 October 2025).
Comments