Manual Handling Risks: The Threat of Crew Injury Manual handling on commercial and fishing vessels poses significant injury risks, especially in adverse weather, due to lifting, carrying, and moving heavy loads. Proper training, risk assessments, supervision, and the use of lifting equipment can help prevent injuries and ensure safer working conditions. Risk alerts Taslim Imad Published: March 07, 2025 Contact author Download article pdf Background: Manual handling on commercial ships and fishing vessels involves physical activities such as lifting, carrying, moving, handling, pushing, or pulling of equipment by hand or bodily force, and it can result in musculoskeletal injury. Crew members are more likely to sustain manual handling injuries in adverse weather conditions, particularly on fishing and smaller vessels. Incorrect manual handling can lead to accidents, injuries, and a range of health issues, including sprains and strains, fractures and dislocations, and musculoskeletal disorders, such as pain and discomfort in the back, neck, and limbs. Prolonged improper handling may also contribute to long-term conditions affecting mobility and overall well-being. Incorrect manual handling in adverse weather conditions could also result in slips, trips, and falls.  The Club has experienced a large number of crew injury claims arising from incorrect manual handling incidents, including the manual handling of mooring ropes, fishing gear (nets & crab pots), securing cargoes, moving heavy equipment, stores and provisions, spare parts, heavy tools, etc. The Club would like to remind Members and their crews of the risks posed by failing to adopt correct manual handling techniques.  This Risk Alert is intended to highlight key factors for consideration when undertaking manual handling activities on board vessels.  Possible Causes: Manual handling operations are everyday activities on board any size and type of vessel, with risks compounded by the constant m