This Code sets a process that may be used to identify, assess and control hazards associated with manual handling.

It is reasonable to expect that by applying this process in the workplace the number and severity of injuries relating to manual handling will be reduced. This is likely to include serious back injuries, acute low back pain and other work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as disorders of the neck, shoulders, knees, arms and hands.

Table of Contents

Executive summary
Glossary

Part A Background information

A.1 Introduction
     A.1.1 What is this Code, who is it for and when should it be used?
     A.1.2 Why is this Code needed and where does it fit in the bigger picture?
     A.1.3 What is manual handling?
     A.1.4 What harm can result from manual handling?
     A.1.5 What advantages are there to implementing this Code?
A.2 Legislative framework
     A.2.1 Employer responsibilities
     A.2.2 Employee responsibilities
     A.2.3 Duties of the designers, manufacturers and suppliers of plant

Part B Controlling manual handling hazards

B.1 Introduction
B.2 Identifying hazardous manual handling
     B.2.1 Review company records
     B.2.2 Consult employees
     B.2.3 Observe manual handling tasks
     B.2.4 Identify hazardous manual handling
     B.2.5 Key actions: hazard identification
B.3 Assessing manual handling hazards
     B.3.1 Introduction
     B.3.2 Find the risk score for the task
     B.3.3 Assess the contributory factors
     B.3.4 Interpreting the significance of the contributory factors
     B.3.5 Key actions: hazard assessment
B.4 Planning and implementing controls for manual handling hazards
     B.4.1 Introduction
     B.4.2 Controlling the contributory factors
     B.4.3 The use of mechanical aids
     B.4.4 Preventing slips, trips and falls
     B.4.5 Summary of control options
     B.4.6 Making an action plan
     B.4.7 Key actions: hazard control
B.5 Reviewing the effects of controls
     B.5.1 Introduction
     B.5.2 Methods for evaluating controls
     B.5.3 Key actions: control evaluation

Part C Additional information

C.1 Employee responsibilities
C.2 Monitoring
     C.2.1 Monitoring exposure to significant hazards
     C.2.2 Monitoring health in relation to a significant hazard
C.3 Training
C.4 Further reading and information sources
     C.4.1 Publications and sources
     C.4.2 Other assessment tools

Appendices (also available as separate PDF files)

Manual Handling Hazard Control Record pdf [size: 24KB ]
Discomfort Survey pdf [size: 27KB ]

Acknowledgments