Safety priorities for manual handling
Contents
1. Safety priorities for manual handling
Workplace injuries most commonly linked to manual handling include sprains and strains, hernias
and damage to the back.
Such injuries are a major cause of lost time at work and make up almost one-third of Western
Australia’s workers’ compensation claims. In the five years to 1999-2000, almost seven million
days were lost from work in WA as a result of manual handling injuries; and a total of 132,819
workers’ compensation claims were made at an average cost of $18,000 each.
So, it’s a massive problem affecting every workplace, from factory floor to office. Yet, manual
handling injuries are generally preventable if proper steps are taken. Following the information in
this document will reduce the risk of such costly outcomes for your business.
‘Manual handling’ is more than just keeping your back straight and knees bent, or lifting properly –
it includes carrying, pushing and pulling, and holding or restraining.
Just as manual handling is more than just lifting, so the things that affect the risk of injury involve
more than just the weight of the objects handled. Factors such as awkward movements, fixed
postures and how long and quickly a task is performed are also very important.
Injuries can be the result of gradual wear and tear (eg from frequent or prolonged activities), or
sudden damage (eg from a single lift of something very heavy or awkward to handle or from tripping
and falling while carrying an object).
Jobs involving physical stress or repetitive movements have the highest rates of manual handling
injuries – over half the lost time injuries involving nurses and health care workers, cleaners, packers
and store persons, are manual handling injuries.
Because of the high potential for manual handling to cause lost time injuries, WorkSafe WA has
identified this as one of seven areas to be given priority when our inspectors visit your workplace.
In their inspection, our inspectors will be looking for the key elements detailed overleaf. Following
the same checklist yourself will help you identify any shortcomings in your procedures or training
and correct or update them; thus getting you started on meeting your health and safety requirements.
In looking at safety in relation to manual handling and all workplace safety matters, please remember the three ThinkSafe steps:
- spot the hazard;
- assess the risk; and
- make the changes.
A good start will be to obtain the latest version of the Code of practice for manual handling (PDF 1.02mb). This is an important reference with strategies to help employers find (or design) effective solutions to manual handling issues.
2. Checklist
Control measures
- Have practical control measures been implemented and maintained to eliminate or reduce the risks associated with manual handling work?
- Have the risks been reduced as far as practicable?
- Have all the significant risk factors been addressed?
- Are the controls reviewed after accidents have occurred?
Risk assessment
- Have all the hazards been identified and has an assessment been done that evaluates the risk?
- Have hazards been identified and risks assessed?
- Have the assessments evaluated all the factors that affect the risk?
- Have employee concerns been addressed?
- Have all manual handling-related accidents been adequately investigated?
Information, instruction and training
- Has information, instruction and training been provided to everyone involved in organising and implementing manual handling processes; investigating accidents; or performing tasks where manual handling hazards have been identified?
- Is training in manual handling part of induction procedures?
- Does the training cover all the requirements of the Code of Practice for Manual Handling?
- Do employees show an understanding of manual handling risk factors and the risk management approach to reducing risks?
3. More information
For more information on manual handling access the Code of practice here (PDF 1.02mb) or contact WorkSafe via email safety@docep.wa.gov.au or telephone 1300 307 877.