Manual Handling

Manual handling covers a wide range of activities including lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, throwing and carrying. It also includes repetitive tasks such as packing, typing, assembling, cleaning and sorting, using hand tools and operating machinery and equipment.

Unsafe manual handling may cause a range of injuries and conditions including:

• muscle sprains and strains
• injuries to muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs and other structures in the back
• injuries to soft tissues such as nerves, ligaments and tendons in the wrist, arms, shoulders, neck or legs
• abdominal hernias & chronic pain

To reduce the risk of manual handling injuries:

• avoid  the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable;
• assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided (Risk Assessment Reference Document link below);
  and
• reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Also

• develop & follow appropriate systems of work
• make proper use of equipment provided
• inform your supervisor, safety officer or OHS Rep if any hazardous handling activities are identified;
• take care to ensure that their own activities do not put others at risk.

OHSE have developed a “Movesmart” information pamphlet for the task of moving office, labs and studio’s as well as tips on manual handling risks.  For a copy of the pamphlet follow the link below or contact your OHSE Consultant or OHSE directly on 51016.

Risk Assessment
Movesmart pamphlet