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.

Failure to appropriately manage hazardous manual tasks may result in a breach of WHS laws.

Click link below for more information

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/how-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks

The best and most cost effective way to eliminate or minimise the risk of an MSD is to consider manual task hazards and risks during the design and planning stage of a workplace or a job. During this stage, hazards and risks can be ‘designed out’ before they are introduced into a workplace.

Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of plant and structures have duties under the model WHS Act to make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that products don’t pose risks to health and safety when they’re used for the purpose they were designed or manufactured for. This includes ensuring they will not result in MSD risks.

Musculoskeletal disorders, MSD refer to an injury or disease of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system supports and protects the body and is made up of the bones of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissues that supports and binds tissues and organs together.

Click link below for more information

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/manual-handling