The current legislation relating to manual handling is contained in the OHS Regulation 2001.
Chapter 2 imposes obligations on the employer to:
- identify (existing and foreseeable) hazards that may arise from the conduct of the employer's undertaking;
- assess the risks associated with those hazards
- eliminate or control those risks.
These obligations extend to manual handling.
Chapter 4 imposes obligations on the employer to eliminate and control risks in relation to the manual handling of loads. The factors that the employer must take into account when assessing risks in relation to the manual handling of loads are also specified.
There is also guidance material available.
The National Standard for Manual Handling [NOHSC:1001 (1990)] and the National Code of Practice: Manual Handling [NOHSC:2005 (1990)] are published by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC). These documents are available from NOHSC or the Commonwealth Government Bookshop.
The National Standard aims to prevent the occurrence of injury and/or reduce the severity of injuries resulting from manual handling tasks in workplaces [section 2.1(a)].
The National Code of Practice: Manual Handling provides practical advice in meeting the requirements of the National Standard for Manual Handling in relation to the identification, assessment and control of risks arising from manual handling in the workplace.