MANUAL HANDLING – ANCILLARY STAFF

Definition of Manual Handling

• Manual handling is any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to:
• Lift
• Lower
• Pull
• Carry
• Push
• Or otherwise move, hold, restrain any living or non-living object. To minimise the chance of injury, manual handling training is VERY important.

Employer and employee responsibilities

The Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act states that:

Employers must…

• Ensure employees are safe from injury and risk
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment
• Provide and maintain safe systems of work
• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision as are reasonably necessary to ensure employees safety

Employees must…

• Protect his or her own health and safety of any other person
• Use equipment provided correctly
• Obey any reasonable instruction given by an employer
• Comply with workplace policies
• Attend manual handling training
• Participate in risk identification, assessment and control

Checklist before you lift…

Evaluate

• Do you have the correct equipment?
• Is the environment clear of obstacles?
• Is everything set up as required?
• Can you assess the load safely?
• Is the ground surface level or uneven?
• Is the load well packed and stable?
• Does the load have safe or irregular edges?

Assess

• Do you need any help?

Organise

• Get assistance if required – mechanical or personnel, do you need gloves?

Arrange

• Arrange furniture as needed for safe movement, repack load/unpack load as needed for stability

Check

• Environmental factors (e.g. floor is dry, no spills, brakes on or off trolleys)

For more information on this service, or for a full colour poster on this material, please contact Wellness & Lifestyles on 8331 3000 or