Purpose
The purpose of this policy and is to ensure hazardous manual handling tasks are identified and risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with such tasks is controlled.
Scope
This policy and procedure apply to ergonomics and manual handling performed for our company at the workplace.
Policy Statement
Body stressing is muscular stress from manual handling: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling objects; or stress from physical movements such as holding a posture or making repetitive movements.
Most common sources of injury include:
- Awkward Postures – Working in awkward postures for prolonged periods (bending, sitting, twisting and reaching up overhead) puts unnecessary strain on the body and especially the back;
- Manual Handling – Using excessive force, lifting from below knee level or above shoulder level, twisting while lifting, lifting with extended reach and lifting awkwardly shaped/unstable objects;
- Repetitive Work – Continual repetitive use of any part of the body can cause fatigue and pain. Repetitive twisting, bending or lifting can reduce the back’s ability to cope with a load, and make it more susceptible to injury;
- Vibration Exposure – Can cause reduced circulation and make muscles fatigue more easily and so can make the back more susceptible to injury;
- Over-exertion – making one’s back do more work than it is capable of. Lifting when the back is fatigued or damaged;
Note: Everyone’s manual handling capacity is different and depends on their individual ability to handle a load.
Process
- Our company is to conduct a task analysis through consultation with relevant workers, on all high-risk manual handling tasks;
- These are to be documented in a ‘Manual Handling Register’;
- Each high-risk manual handling tasks is to be risk assessed with relevant controls indicated;
- Training is to occur for all staff on relevant manual handling tasks, risk assessments and controls;
- Workplace assessments are to be conducted for specific workplace activities as identified;
- Supervisors are to monitor their staff lifting techniques;
- Staff are to be advised of manual handling requirements through conducting a toolbox talk
Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are to be conducted before manual handling tasks and suggested corrective actions implemented through a Rectification Action Plan (RAP).
- Checklist for ‘Manual Handling Risk Identification’ as well as a review of injury records can assist with the identification of potential manual handling hazards and risks;
- Manual tasks involving the handling of people or animals can involve additional risks when compared to moving inanimate objects. These additional risks, e.g. a shifting load, unbalanced loads, possible resistance etc., need to be considered in the risk assessment process;
- When deciding on factors to control the risk, the aim should always be to try to eliminate the risk at the source (e.g. having materials delivered to avoid double handling). If this is not possible, job redesign should be considered, e.g. substitution (using smaller packaged materials) or use lifting equipment. Where these options are not feasible, it may be necessary to introduce administrative controls such as rotating staff, extra training, regularly alternating duties and/or strategies to compensate for awkward postures (checklist for ‘Working Postures’); and
- Always conduct a risk assessment before any controls are implemented and a risk assessment after the controls are implemented to ensure the risk has been reduced
Factors to consider for preventing injury
Job redesign
Consideration should be given to:
- Modifying objects, e.g. smaller packaging, adding handles;
- Modifying layout of equipment, e.g. heavier or more awkward items stored near waist height;
- Rearranging the flow of materials to reduce handling;
- Doing tasks in a different way, e.g. using a trolley instead of carrying, pushing instead of lifting; and,
- Using manual handling equipment, e.g. hoists, trolleys.
Mechanical Handling Equipment
Mechanical aids can range from simple devices such as crowbars, castors, ramps and sliding rails to cranes, hoists, jacks and forklifts.
Equipment should be:
- easy to use and not cause obstruction;
- designed to suit the load;
- readily available; and
- Operators should be trained in its use.
Training
All workers should be provided with manual handling training relevant to their work. This training should consider the following topics and their application to the work area:
- Hazards of manual handling, including reference to common tasks performed in the work area and injury patterns;
- Management of common risk factors e.g. awkward postures, repetition, vibration, overexertion;
- Safe use of lifting equipment;
- Workstation design; and
- Lifting techniques including practical demonstrations in the work area
Weights to be lifted
It is not possible to identify one weight limit that will be safe for all workers to lift. A number of factors need to be considered as all influence the load that a person can safely lift. These are:
- Age of the person;
- Pre-existing conditions;
- The environment and associated risk factors;
- Physical fitness and how accustomed a worker is to a job; and
- The individual needs to assess each manual handling situation and decide on appropriate strategies.
Lifting technique
Similar to weight, there will not be one technique that will be ideal for every person in every situation. All factors should be taken into account when determining the best manual handling technique. The best techniques involve suitable balance and avoidance of unnecessary bending, twisting and reaching. A person undertaking a lift should bend efficiently and rhythmically, minimising the bending and twisting of the lower back.
Consider the following strategies should lifting be required:
- Decide on the best position, clear a path and try to face in the direction you will be moving;
- Get a secure grip on the object being handled;
- Pull the load in close to the body;
- For lifting, in particular, it is important to have the centre of gravity of the load close to the body to prevent excessive stress on the back and to use the strongest muscles of the arms to hold the load;
- It is important to minimise the effects of acceleration by lifting smoothly, slowly and without jerking; and
- Keep your spine in its natural alignment (maintain normal curves) and avoid twisting whilst lifting.
Documentation
- PPE Management
- PPE Issued Register
- Damaged/Lost/Stolen PPE Report
- Pre-start Condition Checklist
- Incident report
- Manual Handling Risk Identification Checklist
- Working Postures – Checklist
Legislation/References
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
- Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Fatigue Management) Regulation 2008
- Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012
- National Standards for Manual Tasks
- National COP for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders from Performing Manual Tasks
Definitions
Contractor in general terms is a worker who enters into a formal contract to perform work for our company and in the execution of this work is required to provide a safe system and place of work for the contractor’s employees and others.
Ergonomics the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.
Manual handling means any activity or task requiring force by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object.
PCBU – Person Conducting Business or Undertaking
Worker – is a person who carries out work in any capacity for a PCBU in its workplace, including-: an employee of the PCBU, a contractor or subcontractor, an employee of a contractor or subcontractor, an employee of a labour-hire company who has been assigned to work in the PCBU, an outworker, an apprentice or trainee, a student gaining work experience or a volunteer.