What is a hazardous manual task?

What is a hazardous manual task?
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.

When does a Manual task become Hazardous?
A manual task becomes hazardous when one or more of the following risk factors are present:

repetitive or sustained force
high or sudden force
repetitive movement
sustained or awkward posture
vibration

The above factors combined with a hazardous manual task will often lead to direct stress to the body and can then lead to an injury occurring.

When is it classified as REPETITIVE
Repetitive’ means that a movement or force is performed more than twice a minute and ‘sustained’ means a posture or force is held for more than 30 seconds at a time.

DID YOU KNOW?
Over the past four years more than 145,000 workers have been injured in NSW workplaces just as a result of manual tasks.

What is a Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)?
A musculoskeletal disorder, means an injury to, or a disease of, the musculoskeletal system, whether occurring suddenly or over time. It does not include an injury caused by crushing, entrapment (Such as fractures and dislocations) or cutting resulting from the mechanical operation of plant.

MSD’s may include:

Sprains, strains of muscles, ligaments and tendons
Back injuries, including damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, spinal discs, nerves, joints and bones
Joint and bone injuries or degeneration, including injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, hands and feet
Nerve injuries or compression (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
Muscular and vascular disorders as a result of hand-arm vibration
Soft tissue hernias
Chronic pain

Find out how SS&T can asses your risks before these injuries occur at your workplace.

DID YOU KNOW?
Over the past four years more than 145,000 workers have been injured in NSW workplaces just as a result of manual tasks.

Here’s how Saunders Safety and Training can help you establish a simple Risk Management approach:

We can help you Consult with your workers – surveys/questionnaires’, toolbox talks – we can customize this to your business
Identify the issues and assess the risks involved
Look at alternatives, we can help you fix the issues identified. We do this using the hierarchy of controls
Implement training, instruction, procedures etc. – we can customize these for your workplace
Evaluate – revisit to ensure no further risks have been identified

Mental Health First Aid Training – 2020 Course Postponed

Saunders Safety & Training have identified the need for the community to become more proficient and confident in assisting those who are affected by a mental health disease. As such we are running a two day nationally accredited course that provides practical information about key mental illnesses and first aid processes.

COVID-19 Back to Work Cleanliness Inspection & Certificate

Unfortunately, many workplaces have had to effectively shut down due to COVID-19, which presents the question, how do you know your workplace is safe to return to?
We want to help ensure your employees and customers safety, this is why we are conducting a ‘Back to Work Cleanliness Inspection and Certificate’.

Find out more

What is a hazardous manual task?

Mental Health First Aid Training – 2020 Course Postponed

COVID-19 Back to Work Cleanliness Inspection & Certificate

Does your workplace contain asbestos material? Are your workers currently at risk?

If you're unsure, reach out to our inhouse asbestos experts

WHS & Workers Compensation changing in NSW