A hazardous manual task is any activity involving:
- lifting,
- lowering,
- carrying,
- pushing,
- pulling,
- holding, or
- restraining.
It can also include stretching and bending, sustained and awkward postures and repetitive movements. The most common manual handling injuries include:
- sprains and strains,
- damage to muscles and tendons,
- and hernia problems.
Every year in New South Wales, approximately 17 000 people are seriously injured or suffer from illness related to manual handling. Manual handling needs to be considered as part of the overall management of WHS in your workplace/ Safety is not a ‘problem to be solved’. It should be part of the way employers and workers approach their work each and every day.