Guidelines Manual Handling Policy
Manual Handling Guidelines
OH&S
Authorised by UHSC: December 2004
Supervisors are advised that any person who may require assistance in understanding
any aspect of this document, particularly for language or literacy reasons, can
be referred to the OH&S Unit.
1. Overview
2. Purchase/Design
3. Risk Assessment and Hazard Management
4. Weights of items to be handled
5. Frequency
6. Locations of Loads and Distances Moved
7. Work Environment
8. Individual Factors, Skills and Experience
9. Age
10.Clothing
11. Manual Handling Equipment
12. Storage
13. Consultation
14. Action Plans
15. Training
16. Documentation
| 1. OVERVIEW |
Dec 04
|
 |
Managers and Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure that all staff and
students under their control follow correct manual handling procedures. This
duty extends not only to proactive strategies to prevent manual handling injuries
during normal duties, but also after an employee has returned to work following
either an injury, a period of annual leave, or an extended absence.
As part of the consultative process, employers are required, in consultation
with their employees, to identify, assess, and control risks arising from
manual handling activities in the workplace. Managers and Supervisors are
also required to ensure that all plant, equipment, containers, work practices
and the working environment are designed to be safe and pose no risk to the
health and safety of their employees.
Manual Handling should be performed
- so there is no undue discomfort or pain
- in a balanced and comfortable position
- within the bodys range of movement and
- without repetative bending twisting and overreaching.
| 2. PURCHASE/DESIGN |
Dec 04
|
|
It is more cost effective to reduce risk factors at the stage of designing
plant or purchase of equipment. It is important therefore to incorporate the
general principles for reducing risks associated with manual handling into
the design of workplaces, work practices, plant, equipment, containers and
furniture.
| 3. RISK ASSESSMENT AND HAZARD MANAGEMENT |
Dec 04
|
|
In consultation with relevant personnel all significant manual handling tasks
must be identified and a risk assessment considering the exposure of workers to
the task be carried out taking into account the following:
- what are the hazards;
- how severe are the hazards;
- how frequently is the task performed and how many people do it;
- the number and type of risks associated with a task;
- and the probability of something happening must be taken into account;
- is there a likelihood of an unwanted occurrence occurring and the possible
immediate and long term effects of that exposure must be carried out.
Where high risk manual handling hazards are identified, control measures are
to be put in place prior to work commencing.
The effectiveness of the control measures must be reviewed regularly and improved
where considered necessary prior to a repeat of that activity.
| 4. WEIGHTS OF ITEMS TO BE HANDLED |
Dec 04
|
|
Although the Code of Practice does not prescribe absolute weight limits for
lifting, loading or carrying loads. The capabilities of each individual need to
be considered at the time of attempting the manual handling task.
The weight of any load which is manually handled should be considered along
with other key risk factors in assessing the weight of any load include:
- frequency and duration of lift;
- position of load relative to the body;
- distance moved and characteristics of the load and the individual;
- loads above 55kg must not be lifted by one person without mechanical assistance;
- materials should be purchased in 20kg containers or less;
- where this is not possible or appropriate, adequate equipment or personnel
must be made available at the point of delivery or the material decanted before
being handled;
- where heavier objects are handled more care is needed in the assessment of
risk and in the application of appropriate control measures.
Regulations and codes of practice do not list specific definitions of what
is a prolonged period" or what is considered frequent. The risk of injury
rises with the increased frequency, repetition and duration of the manual
handling activity by any one employee in a work period.
| 6. LOCATION OF LOADS AND DISTANCES MOVED |
Dec 04
|
|
Distances over which loads are manually handled should be as short as possible.
The longer the distance the lighter the load that can be carried without increased
risk.
Risk increases if:
- the load is located above the employee's shoulder height;
- below mid-thigh height;
- requires extended reach; and
- requires maneuvering to be placed accurately into the position.
| 7. WORK ENVIRONMENT |
Dec 04
|
|
Work organisation factors that may influence risk by interacting with other
risk factors include:
- recovery time and staffing levels;
- availability of equipment;
- work schedules;
- workplace environment (climate, lighting,area,floors and surfaces)
- task variety;
- rest breaks and
- work procedures.
Housekeeping and footwear are associated factors that have particular relevance
for risk of slips, trips and falls while handling loads.
| 8. INDIVIDUAL FACTORS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE |
Dec 04
|
|
Employees should have the knowledge and ability required to perform the task.
A mismatch can cause an increased risk of injury.
| 9. AGE |
Dec 04
|
|
For young workers an increased level of care is needed in the assessment
of risk and the application of appropriate control measures.
For older workers, increasing age may be associated with decreasing physical
capacity. Age alone is not sufficient reason for assessing risk, as older
workers may be able to compensate any physical loss by their experience and
skill at the task. All relevant risk factors should be taken into account.
| 10. CLOTHING |
Dec 04
|
|
The type of clothing an individual wears at work may hinder safe manual handling,
for example, tight clothing which restricts movements will adversely affect
manual handling technique.
| 11. MANUAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT |
Dec 04
|
|
The use of specialist equipment to assist with manual handling tasks not
only minimises the risk of injury, it allows efficient use of human resources.
When determining appropriate control measures, the University will investigate
the availability of equipment, tools and mechanical aids etc. Where these
are impractical, or funds are not immediately available, a safe system of
work must still be developed. All ergonomic hazards relating to poor design
of tools or equipment or work station must be identified and have controls
in place. Poorly designed tools should be eliminated where possible.
All heavy or frequently used materials should be stored between knee level
and shoulder level. High level storage of any material should be avoided unless
it is lightweight (plastic) or there is specialist equipment available (eg
picking/access platforms or paletised mechanical handling equipment) with
adequate space to accommodate these.
In all new building space and refurbishment, high level storage will be limited
to designated storage areas and all other shelving and storage racks will
have a maximum shelf height of 1.8 metres.
Material stored above benches or high must not be heavy and/or awkward, contain
toxic or dangerous substances or be stored in easily breakable containers.
Where platforms . steps etc are unavailable or impractical, material must
be accessed from high level storage by two people using an appropriate, well
maintained ladder. Desks, chairs or other such items will not be used to access
material.
All aisles and passageways must be kept clear at all times to avoid slips,
trips and falls while handling loads.
Management at all levels of the University will implement mechanisms to consult
with staff and their representatives, Health and Safety Committees, Health
and Safety Officers and where appropriate, registered associations for staff
and students, throughout all stages of identification, assessment and control
of both existing and new manual handling tasks and in the evaluation process
once controls are implemented.
Schools/Divisions/Centres must develop a local Manual Handling guidelines
and do an annual training needs analysis.
All new staff and students must also receive training in any manual handling
tasks they may be required to undertake.
Where a Manual Handling task is assessed as a risk, the control strategy
will be implemented and training will be provided to all employees and students
in accordance with the Code of Practice and will comprise three levels:
- Identification, Risk Assessment and Control.
- Principles of correct manual handling and lifting and the correct use
or application of any mechanical aids, personal protective equipment or
team lifting procedures.
- Instruction in safe systems of work and safe work procedures this is
to include instruction and information in ergonomics.
- Adequate supervision must be provided by those responsible for overseeing
the manual handling tasks to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures
and the systems of work developed and to monitor safe work practices.
In accordance with the manual handling regulations and recommendations of
the Code of Practice, records will be kept on:
- the manual handling injury prevention program;
- risk identification and assessment reports;
- risk control measures implemented (including safe work procedures);
- design modifications to and specifications for plant, equipment containers,
workplaces and work procedures
- training and education; and
- minutes of committee meetings.
Copies of safe work procedures will be developed in consultation with staff
and their representatives and should be provided to all staff and students
required to perform specific manual handling tasks.
Contact Information:
For further information contact Human
Resources, Telephone: (08) 8303 5666 Fax: (08) 8303 4353.
Authorised by Council: Jun 1992
Reviewed: Jun 1994, Dec 1994, Mar 2001, Dec 2004
Review Date: December 2008
This policy has been developed in consultation with Area Health and Safety Committees,
Health and Safety Representatives and Unions.
|
