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Compliance tools · HSE MAC · lifting, carrying, teams
How risky is this lift or carry? (the MAC tool)
HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Charts: each risk factor’s colour band and score for a lift, a carry or a team lift, and the factors to deal with first.
Questions people ask
What is the MAC tool?
HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Charts (leaflet INDG383): a way to score the commonest risk factors in lifting, carrying and team handling - load, hand distance from the lower back, posture, grip, floor, distance, obstacles, environment and, for teams, communication - each green, amber, red or purple with a score.
What do the colours mean?
In HSE’s words: green, a low level of risk; amber, a medium level - examine tasks closely; red, a high level - prompt action needed; purple, an unacceptable level - such operations may be a serious risk of injury and must be improved.
What does the total score mean?
It is for comparing tasks. HSE says the total scores do not relate to specific action levels - deal with the task with the highest total first, and work on the red and amber factors.
Why do I read the load band myself for lifting and carrying?
Because HSE gives it as a graph of weight against how often, with curved zones and no figures printed for their edges. The page links to HSE’s graph rather than drawing its own lines. Team handling is different: HSE gives a table, and the page bands the weight from it.
Is this a manual handling risk assessment?
No. HSE says the MAC may not be a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and lists when a full one is needed - the page shows that list. Pascoe Business Systems makes no compliance claim.
Calculators for the same job
Need the paperwork behind this, not just the number? PBS Policies produces branded risk assessments, toolbox talks and handbooks from a starter library, with your business substituted throughout.
Read before you rely on this. These compliance tools are a starting point, not a decision. The exposure figures, the notification answer, the risk score and the accreditation list are guidance only — none of them is a risk assessment, a HAV or noise exposure assessment, legal advice or a compliance sign-off, and Pascoe Business Systems makes no compliance claim. Current HSE guidance and a competent person decide.