Manual Handling

• Prevention
• Checklists
• Posters
• A Guide to Manual Tasks
• Comcare Advice

From 1 January 2012 the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) has effect in the ACT, replacing the Work Safety Act 2008. The information on this page is in the process of being updated to reflect the new WHS Act. Click here for further information on the WHS Act.

Description

Manual Handling refers to any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, push. pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing.

Australian workers' compensation statistics show that one third of all occupational injuries at work happen during manual tasks, with the retail industry identified as having a high number of manual task related injuries reported each year. 

Prevention

Reduce the risk of injury by following these guidelines:

• Use the following safe lifting techniques:
  Use your hands and not just your fingers to get a good grip on the load
  Place your feet shoulder width apart for good balance
  Bend at your knees and not at your waist to maintain your centre of balance and to utilise the strong leg muscles to do the lifting
  Try to keep the load between your knees and shoulders
  Use smooth, gradual motions
  Avoid twisting your back: pivot with your feet instead of twisting your back 

• Avoid performing the same lifting task repeatedly over a long period of time.
• Take micro-breaks, stretch, vary the load (light and heavy) and vary the task (alternate activities) to use different muscles.
• Before purchasing, consider the weight of new equipment, how it will be used and consult workers who will be using the equipment.
• Install self-cleaning units for deep fryers or outsource the cleaning.
• Install a rubbish chute system that links the kitchen to an outside bin.
• Avoid awkward work postures such as bending, reaching, and twisting.
• Where possible, avoid lifting and carrying heavy or awkward objects. Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, forklifts, hoists and carts where possible.
• Use lever and wheel trolleys to unload goods from vehicles (wheels should be kept free running).
• Ensure rubbish bins and buckets for cleaning can be wheeled.
• Reduce the size and capacity of pots and pans or split loads.
• Use trolleys for crockery and utensils when setting up tables.
• Buy lighter loads and smaller quantities from suppliers.
• Arrange for deliveries to be unloaded directly or as close as possible to where they are needed.
• Use forklifts or pallet jacks to unload deliveries.
• Ensure that suppliers restock the fridges on an as needed basis.
• Provide ample shelving. Ideally, no shelves should be above shoulder level but if they are, avoid storing heavy items above shoulder level.
• Organise storage areas by weight. Store heavy and frequently used items at waist height, approximately 800mm from the ground to minimise lifting.
• Ensure enough workers are rostered on per shift to allow adequate job rotation, rest breaks and variety of tasks to reduce repetition.
• Ensure workers have comfortable seating for rest and meal breaks.
• Provide fixed rubber flooring in areas where workers are required to stand for long periods.
• Stack items so they are stable enough not to tip over.
• Lift smaller loads by planning and adjusting weight distribution ahead of time.
• Use equipment such as platform ladders or safety steps to reach items on higher shelves.
• Keep the floors of cold storage areas free of ice build-up.
• If an item is too heavy, ask for help from others.

Checklists

The following checklist, designed to suit small businesses, is currently available for assessing manual handling issues:

• Manual Handling Checklist 

Posters

Manual Handling posters are also available from our office.

A Guide to Manual Tasks

WorkSafe ACT has a useful Guide to Manual Tasks which can be downloaded from this website.

Our one page quick tips on Manual Handling is a useful guide for young workers.

Comcare Advice

Comcare have some useful advice on managing manual handling tasks.  Click here to access Comcare's website on this issue.