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Hazardous Manual Handling Policy and Procedure
Commitment
Commitment
Man With A Van recognises the importance of preventing workplace injuries and illnesses associated with hazardous manual tasks. This policy outlines our commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment and ensuring compliance with work health safety legislation in Australia.
Purpose
Purpose
This policy is based on the Code of Practice for Hazardous Manual Tasks published by Safe Work Australia. As an employer in Victoria, Australia Man With A Van is required to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) VIC and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2017) VIC (Chapter 3 – physical hazards. Part 3.1 Hazardous manual handling).
By following this policy, Man With A Van is ensuring that they are meeting these obligations under legislation and providing a safe and healthy workplace.
Scope
Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, visitors, and volunteers engaged in hazardous manual tasks within Man With A Van.
Hazardous Manual Handling Procedure
Hazardous Manual Handling Procedure
1.Hazard Identification and Assessment
1.Hazard Identification and Assessment
a. Management is responsible for identifying hazardous manual tasks
b. Movers are encouraged to report any hazardous manual tasks
c. Hazard identification and assessment must be conducted in consultation with everyone.
d. Hazardous manual tasks must be identified using a combination of observation, consultation, and review of incident reports and injury data.
2. Assess the Risks
2. Assess the Risks
a. The risks associated with hazardous manual tasks must be assessed in consultation with movers
b. The risk assessment must take into account the nature, duration, and frequency of the manual task, as well as the individual capability and environmental factors that may increase the risk.
c. The risk assessment must be documented and kept on file.
3. Risk Assessment Process
3. Risk Assessment Process
a. Identify the hazardous manual task and the workers who are exposed to the risks.
b. Describe the manual task and its associated risks.
c. Identify the risk factors associated with the manual task.
d. Assess the likelihood and severity of the potential harm caused by the identified risks.
e. Determine the risk rating using a risk matrix.
f. Identify control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks.
g. Assess the effectiveness of the control measures.
h. Review and update the risk assessment as required.
4. Risk Assessment Tools
4. Risk Assessment Tools
Risk assessment of frequent work tasks
Risk assessment of frequent work tasks
If a hazardous manual task is identified:
a. Use the Hazardous Manual Tasks Risk Assessment Form and Risk Control Matrix to document the assessment and to rate the risks if required.
National reference https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-hazardous-manual-tasks
Worksafe VIC
If high risks identified, further risk assessment is required:
b. Use further risk assessment methods. APPENDIX A
Risk assessment of customer ‘site specific’ work tasks
Risk assessment of customer ‘site specific’ work tasks
A dynamic risk assessment is the quick assessment of the hazards and risks that may pose a threat to the safety of movers, customers, the general public and property.
On arrival to site:
Use the dynamic risk assessment to assess site specific hazards.
5. Implement Control Measures
5. Implement Control Measures
a. Where possible, hazardous manual tasks must be eliminated.
b. Where elimination is not possible, control measures must be implemented to minimize the risk of injury or illness.
c. Control measures may include engineering controls (e.g., using mechanical aids), administrative controls (e.g., job rotation), and personal protective equipment (PPE).
d. The effectiveness of control measures must be regularly reviewed and adjusted as necessary.
e. Control measures must be documented and kept on file.
6. Information, Training, and Supervision
6. Information, Training, and Supervision
a. Movers must be provided with information and training on the hazards associated with manual tasks and the control measures in place to minimize the risk.
b. Management must ensure that employees are competent in performing hazardous manual tasks safely.
c. Supervisors must ensure that employees are competent in performing hazardous manual tasks safely.
d. Use training materials APPENDIX B
7. Consultation and Participation
7. Consultation and Participation
a. Movers must be consulted and encouraged to participate in identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards associated with manual tasks.
b. Consultation and participation must be ongoing and reviewed regularly.
8. Review and Improvement
8. Review and Improvement
a. Our hazardous manual tasks program must be reviewed regularly to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.
b. Lessons learned from incidents, near-misses, and feedback from movers must be used to improve the program.
c. The risk assessment must be updated whenever there is a change in the hazardous manual task or the work environment.
By following this policy and procedure, Man With A Van can ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in hazardous manual tasks.
Document control
Document control
Policy approved 3 October 2023.
APPENDIX A References for further risk assessment methods
APPENDIX A References for further risk assessment methods
3D Static Strength Prediction ProgramTM (computer software) University of Michigan Center for
Ergonomics.
https://c4e.engin.umich.edu/tools-services/3dsspp-software/
Relevant for slow movement only.
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Hignett, S, McAtamney, L. 2000. ‘Rapid Entire Body Assessment
(REBA)’. Applied Ergonomics 31: 201–205.
Middlesworth, M. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA): A step-by-step guide.
https://ergo-plus.com/reba-software/
Posture, Activity, Tools, Handling (PATH) Buchholz, B, Paquet, V, Punnett, L, Lee, D, Moir, S. ‘PATH: A work sampling-based approach to ergonomic job analysis for construction and other non-repetitive work’. 1996. Applied Ergonomics 27, no. 3: 177–187.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000368709500078X
Manual Tasks Risk Assessment Tool (ManTRA) University of Queensland, Workplace Health and
Safety Queensland, Curtin University of Technology.
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-manual-tasks/mantra
Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks—PErforM WorkCover Queensland.
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-manual-
tasks/participative-ergonomics-for-manual-tasks-perform
OCRA System Colombini, D, Occhipinti, E, Grieco, A. (2013). The revised OCRA Checklist method.
Editorial Factors Humans.
http://www.ergonomiesite.be/documenten/repetitief/Revised-OCRA-Checklist-Book.pdf
The Work Organisation Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) EEF. (2004). Work Organisation
Assessment Questionnaire: A tool for the risk management of stress. London: EEF.
https://oem.bmj.com/content/63/10/669
Hazardous Manual Tasks Risk Management Worksheet WorkCover Queensland.
APPENDIX B Training Resources
APPENDIX B Training Resources
Induction training
Induction training
- Ergonomics Module, which includes hazardous manual task risk management principles and teaching basic ergonomic principles.
- On the job safety observation feedback with competency quiz
Refresher training
Refresher training
Senior Movers Ergonomic Principles Train the Trainer Training (TBC)
Senior Movers Ergonomic Principles Train the Trainer Training (TBC)
APPENDIX C OHS Act, Compliance Codes, and Regulations relevant to Hazardous Manual Handling
APPENDIX C OHS Act, Compliance Codes, and Regulations relevant to Hazardous Manual Handling
OHS Act 2004
OHS Act 2004
https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/occupational-health-and-safety-act-2004/043
Note: s20, s21, s23, s25, s27, s28, s29, s30, s35
OHS Regulations 2017 S.R No. 22/2017
OHS Regulations 2017 S.R No. 22/2017
https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/17-22sra014-authorised.pdf
Part 3.1 Hazardous Manual Handling pp 72-5
Note: r5, r8, r18, r26, r27, r28, r98
Compliance Codes
Compliance Codes
Hazardous Manual Handling
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/compliance-code-hazardous-manual-handling
Covers how MWAV is to comply with OHS act (2004)
First aid in the workplace:
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/compliance-code-first-aid-workplace
Workplace amenities and work environment:
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/compliance-code-workplace-amenities-and-work-environment
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), employers must provide and maintain a working environment for their employees, including contractors, that is safe and without risks to health, so far as reasonably practicable.
In Section 5 of the OHS Act, health is defined as including psychological health.
Regulations are currently under development and will be updated here: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/occupational-health-and-safety-amendment-psychological-health-regulations
APPENDIX D Risk Control Matrix
APPENDIX D Risk Control Matrix
Safe manual handling and fatigue management policy working group
Safe manual handling and fatigue management policy working group
Members:
Jack
Sasha
Matt
Anthony
Safe manual handling and fatigue management policy related pages:
Safe manual handling and fatigue management policy related pages:
Report Unsafe Work Environment
Safe Driving Procedures For Employees
https://transcendent-gaufre-b68ec2.netlify.app
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