Court of Appeal applies realism to manual handling

In Koonjul v Thameslink Healthcare Services, the Court of Appeal dismisses a claim under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, in part because the "everyday" nature of the task which caused the injury made it unrealistic to require a risk assessment.

Keelatswanee Koonjul had worked since 1998 as a care assistant at Rainbow Lodge in Dartford, Kent - a small residential and respite home for children with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioural disorders. One of her duties was to make up beds, including the low beds used by children in danger of falling out.