Features And Methods Of Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Posted by Steven Main on July 21st, 2015

Today despite the advancement in technology you will find that manual handling operations have a wide range of applications in activities such as lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. It depends on the type of business whether the load is inanimate such as a trolley or a box, or animates as a person or an animal. Due to inherent risk factors manual handling is one of the most common forms of health and safety training in the business places. The training is undertaken mainly for the purpose of manual handling risk assessment because everyone in the workplace needs to be aware about health and safety and needs trained appropriately.

Most appropriate manual handling risk assessment is stated in the regulations that must be followed to avoid dangerous manual handling operations. The most common measures include:
• Stay away from hazardous manual handling operations as far as possible and handle them in a reasonably practicable manner. It is better to make a proper evaluation of all hazardous manual handling operations that are mandatory.
• If possible provide a mechanical assistance so that the task is easier. It is a rational and workable way to change task, load and working environment.
• When lifting heavy object regularly it is possible that frequent lifting causes back injuries to the workers. Consequently application of lifting and handling aids can help to remove or reduce the risk of suffering an injury and can keep workers healthy. It can prevent absenteeism at work leading to increased productivity.
• Workplace health and safety is the responsibility of both the employees and the employers. Training the employees for best techniques of handling the material or loads can avert many risks. These techniques mainly involve assessing the risks and handling them practically. 
• Occupational health and safety Australia is a combination of practices and organization which has high demand depending on industry and organizational roles. However most of the new modern OHS management systems are the fully statutorily compliant.
• Safety management plans reduce handling risks with ongoing measures such as load reduction or using mechanical aids that reduce the likelihood and severity of an injury.

Hiring safety consultants Melbourne can help you to make provisions for contingencies or unforeseen events and therefore comply with various legal requirements for protecting people and your business. Health and safety consultants assist you to manage the process and work in partnership with your employees to identify and minimize risks, remove avoidable costs and improve overall business performance.