Part 4.4 clauses 79-81 of the OHS Regulation 2001 deal with manual handling.
Employers must:
- identify any foreseeable hazards arising from manual handling (including the potential for occupational overuse injuries);
- assess risks from hazards that are identified;
- eliminate any risks or, if not reasonably practical to eliminate the risk, design the work activity involving manual handling to control the risk and, if necessary, modify the design, provide mechanical aids for team lifting and ensure correct use of aids and training in manual handling techniques (clause 80(2)).
When assessing risks, employers must:
- evaluate the significance of the hazard
- review relevant and available health and safety information (as listed);
- identify factors contributing to the risk
- identify actions necessary to eliminate or control the risk
- identify records that are necessary to be kept.
Employers must also review a risk assessment whenever:
- there is evidence that the risk assessment is no longer valid;
- injury or illness results from exposure to a hazard to which the assessment relates
- a significant change is proposed in the work or work practices to which assessment relates.
When eliminating and/or controlling risks, employers must:
- ensure that all measures that are adopted to eliminate or control risks to health and safety are properly used and maintained.
Chapter 2 of the regulation also specifies employer obligations in relation to the provision of:
- instruction, training and information
- supervision
- personal protective equipment.
Employers must also obtain information necessary for them to fulfil their responsibilities under the Regulation.
Chapter 4 of the OHS Regulation 2001 relates to the employer's obligation to eliminate and control risks arising from the manual handling of loads.
In eliminating risks, employers must ensure that:
- all objects are, where appropriate and as far as reasonably practicable, designed, constructed and maintained so as to eliminate risks arising from manual handling;
- work practices are designed so as to eliminate risks arising from manual handling;
- the work environment is designed to be, as far as reasonably practicable, and to the extent that is within the employer's control, consistent with the safe handling of loads.
In controlling risks, employers must:
- modify the design of the objects to be handled or modify the work environment taking into account work design and work practices;
- provide mechanical aids, or make arrangements for team lifting, or both;
- ensure that persons carrying out the activity are trained in manual handling techniques, correct use of mechanical aids and team lifting procedures appropriate to the activity (clause 80(2).