Manual Handling definition

A hazardous manual task, as defined in the WHS Regulations, means a task that requires a
person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or
thing involving one or more of the following:
repetitive or sustained force
high or sudden force
repetitive movement
sustained or awkward posture
exposure to vibration.
Safe work Australia 2017

3 Risk Control
Risk control means taking action to eliminate WHS risks so far as is reasonably practicable and
if this is not possible minimising them so far as is reasonably practicable. Eliminating a hazard
will also eliminate any risks associated with the hazard
This is a consultative ongoing process with all involved
It is important to note that not every hazard can be eliminated due to the nature of many tasks.
Therefore the term as far as is reasonably practicable is used.

4 Risk Assessment To determine: How severe the risk is

Whether any existing control measures are effective
What action should be taken to control the risk
How urgently the action needs to be taken
Sailability NSW has a risk assessment sheet on their webpage

5 Managing WHS Risks Identify Hazard Review control measures Assess

A step-by-step process
Managing WHS risks involves four steps:
Identifying hazards—find out what could cause harm.
Assessing risks (if necessary)—understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the
hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening.
Controlling risks—implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable
in the circumstances.
Reviewing control measures—ensure control measures are working as planned.
Control
Risks

6 Hierarchy of Risk Control

Level 1
Eliminate the hazards
highest
most
Level 2
Substitute the hazard with something safer
Isolate the hazard from people
Reduce the risks through engineering
Level of health and safety protection
Reliability of control measures
Level 3
Reduce exposure to hazard using administrative actions
Use personal protective equipment
lowest
least

7 Checklist for moving people

Plan the move
Clear away obstacles
Bend the hips and knees
Avoid twisting
Keep the load close
Feet in the direction of
travel
Use equipment
Stand squarely to the client
Lift with the legs
Get client to assist
Communicate clearly
Use hip and shoulders as points of control
Don’t let the client hold you

8 Why we need to protect our back

Identifying hazardous manual tasks
A hazardous manual task is where you have to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, hold or restrain
something. It can include:
repetitive movement
repetitive or sustained force
high or sudden force
sustained or awkward postures
exposure to vibration.
These factors stress the body and can lead to a wide range of MSD.