Manual Handling in the Workplace

Manual handling is the biggest cause of workplace injury in Victoria. Below is an extract from the CMPA’s updated WORK SAFELY REFERENCE MANUAL providing handy hints on managing manual handling on your work site.

MANUAL handling is any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift , push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object.

Last year, more than 10,000 people were injured as a result of unsafe manual handling.

Typical onsite manual handling tasks include:

• Activities involving bending, reaching,twisting or working in awkward positions
• Lifting, lowering or carrying objects
• Physical exertion such as using sledge hammers or cleaning under conveyors

A manual handling injury can develop suddenly or gradually. Most injuries result in sprains or strains. Serious back injuries may require surgery and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Manual handling injuries include:

• Chronic pain
• Hernias
• Injuries to muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs and other structures in the back
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Soft tissue injuries

Some of these conditions are known as Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSD).

It is the employer’s responsibility to identify,assess and control manual handling risks at work in accordance with Part 3.1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 and relevant guidance notes.

Factors that can increase the risk of such injuries include, but are not limited to the:

• Force to be applied by employee
• Actions and movement involved in task
• Range of weights handled
• Duration, distance and frequency of task
• Availability of mechanical aids
• Layout/condition of workplace environment
• Work organisation
• Analysis of relevant injury statistics
• Age of the employee
• Skill and expertise of employee
• Nature of object being handled
• Excessive twisting and bending
• Excessive force while in awkward position

CONTROLLING RISKS

Where manual handling risks exist at a site, the employer should consider how these risks can be controlled. This may include:

Changing the site layout or design

Alter restricted or narrow walkways, work platforms or remove steps (where practicable) that make it difficult to handle plant, equipment or tools.

Change storage areas to reduce the possibility of heavy or awkward lifting.

Fit lifting points, crawl beams or use cranes or chain blocks.

Changing or altering equipment, tools or materials

Consider ergonomics when purchasing plant, equipment, tools or materials.

Consider purchasing materials in smaller packages or in bulk so they can be decanted or handled in smaller loads.

Provide and use the correct tools for the task including lifting devices and trolleys.

Reduce pushing, pulling, bending, forward reaching and/or twisting by changing the layout of equipment and maintenance workshops.

Changing work practices

Where possible eliminate manual handling tasks by redesigning or planning tasks to reduce double handling or introduce the use of manual handling lifting aids.

Use two people to move or lift smaller objects that cannot be moved mechanically.

Reduce the duration of repetitive tasks and static postures by taking breaks.

Maintain a high standard of housekeeping to minimise slips, trips and falls.

Wear appropriate clothing allowing a free range of movement.

Providing training for:

• Employees in how to control the associated risks
• Staff who plan work practices
• Staff responsible for purchasing
• Supervisors

Hazardous manual handling can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries. These can be debilitating and long-term conditions that can severely affect a person’s quality of life.

The manual handling code of practice is a comprehensive document that will take you through the steps of risk assessment and control. It includes information on the responsibilities of designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of machinery and equipment.

A range of general solutions and industry and occupation specific guidance has also been developed to help workplaces identify and eliminate or reduce manual handling.

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