Stannah Lifts Calls For Renewed Action To Reduce Rising Manual Handling Injuries

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• Stannah Lifts Calls For Renewed Action To Reduce Rising Manual Handling Injuries

24 April 2026

Stannah Lifts is highlighting the need to enhance workplace safety as the latest data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that manual handling remains stubbornly high and a primary cause of injury across multiple sectors.

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 17% of workplace injuries result from handling, lifting or carrying activities, underlining the urgent need for practical and effective solutions.  In addition, 511,000 workers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders linked to poor manual handling practices. These injuries often lead to long-term pain, disability and reduced productivity, costing employers an estimated £8,500 per case.

These musculoskeletal injuries cause significant pain, long-term disability and lost productivity, often impacting the back, neck, shoulders and limbs through injuries like strains, sprains and spinal damage. The risk increases significantly when heavy goods are transported through corridors and staircases, while slips, trips and falls - already responsible for 30% of workplace injuries – remain a major concern.

While the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 provide guidance on avoiding hazardous manual handling tasks, many businesses continue to face challenges in effectively reducing risks. Stannah Lifts is encouraging organisations to adopt proactive workplace adaptations, including engineered solutions that remove the need for manual handling altogether.

Installing a service or goods lift is one of the most effective ways of reducing manual handling risks. Suitable products include dumbwaiters and trolley lifts for light-duty transport of food, documents and small items (typically up to 100kg), mid-range service lifts for loads between 300–500kg, and heavy-duty goods lifts capable of transporting items up to 3000kg between floors. These systems provide reliable, safe and efficient movement of materials across a variety of environments, from hospitality and retail to manufacturing and facilities management.

For hospitality venues in particular, dumbwaiters offer a practical and hygienic solution for moving hot food, tableware and supplies, reducing strain on staff and ensuring safer service operations. Beyond safety, these lift systems improve operational efficiency, enabling staff to focus on value-adding tasks and enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction.

The long-term health, wellbeing and financial advantages of installing a lift solution are clear. Businesses typically report a workers' compensation claims, lower absenteeism due to injury and enhanced employee retention.

Graham Mears, General Manager, Stannah Lifts said: “When businesses choose a lift solution they are addressing one of the most significant workplace hazards: manual handling injuries. Our solutions eliminate many of the physical strains associated with lifting, carrying and moving heavy items between floors. This dramatically reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, which continue to impact an unacceptably high number of workers every year.”

Graham added: “The immediate impact on employee safety creates a positive effect that ripples throughout a company, boosting workplace culture, lifting morale and reducing financial exposure to claims. As staff shortages and safety expectations continue to rise, businesses that invest position themselves as responsible employers who prioritise the wellbeing of their people.”

Stannah offers a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support companies in improving workplace safety and reducing injury risks. These include a manual handling guide, a practical risk assessment template, and clear guidance on selecting the right service or goods lift.

To help organisations reduce manual handling injuries, Stannah is offering free access to this full suite of safety resources. Download the Manual Handling Guide, risk assessment template and lift selection tools at: https://hubs.la/Q049gDMg0

Stannah’s manual handling guide offers practical advice on identifying hazards, adopting safer lifting techniques and implementing improvements that significantly reduce risks.

The Stannah Lift selection guide helps businesses explore the different types of service and goods lifts, choose the solution that best meets their needs, and access supporting tools such as a risk assessment template and a ready-made business case to support investment decisions.

Picture: An image of an employee using a service lift at a Toy Store.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 24 April 2026

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