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Manual Handling and Ergonomics

• Departmental procedures and guidelines
• Resources
• Legislation and other Links

Manual handling and ergonomics covers a range of activities in the school and work environment including moving furniture, entering data into a computer, carrying a bag full of sporting equipment, using a hedge trimmer and transferring a student from a wheelchair onto a toilet. These tasks involve the exertion of force to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, move, hold, slide or transfer a person or object.

Manual handling (also called 'manual tasks') can contribute to a range of musculoskeletal disorders (injuries) including:

• Sprains and strains of muscles
• Injuries to muscles, ligaments, discs and other structures of the back
• Injuries to soft tissues such as nerves, tendons, ligaments in the wrists, arms and shoulders.

These types of injuries are often cumulative with damage occurring over a period of time before pain or injury is apparent.

Many steps can be immediately implemented to minimise the risk of injuries associated with manual tasks. Planning the task, using equipment to reduce the effort required and asking for help are simple ways to reduce the risks.

Risk management resources specific to manual tasks are available on this page.

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Departmental procedures and guidelines

• HLS-PR-010: Manual Handling of Students

Resources

• Slips, trips and falls checklist
• Preventing slips, trips and falls brochure
• Office Ergonomics - Setting up your workstation
• Safe Use of Laptops
• Manual Handling of Students Resource Package
  A collection of templates, examples, case studies and information to improve the management of manual handling of students in the school environment. The aim of the resource package is to assist schools in developing safe manual handling procedures to minimise risk of injury to staff and students.
• Manual Tasks - OHS Tool Kit Module (see module 7)
• Heavy School Bags
  The health and wellbeing of students is a priority for Education Queensland. Carrying heavy school bags is a concern for some students and families. This document discusses what students may experience and what we can do to reduce the risks.

Legislation and other Links

• Officewise - A Guide to Health and Safety in the Office
• Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2000
• Manual Tasks Involving the Handling of People Code of Practice 2001
• PhysioPak
  Is an ergonomic backpack that minimises the degree of postural change required to carry a given load, which may in turn reduce neck and back pain normally associated with load carriage in school-age children.
• Healthy Computing Tips
  Sit back and watch this short animated presentation of how you should sit at and have your workstation arranged.

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This page was last reviewed on 06 Mar 2012 at 12:08PM

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