Manual Handling Guidelines
The Manual Handling Guidelines provide background information and advice on the completion of a risk assessment for manual handling tasks at work.
Approximately 30% of all work-related harm can be attributed to musculoskeletal injuries. This related to 15,000 lost years of life in New Zealand. At the University of Otago (the University), many of our work-related ACC claims are due to work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) , caused by manual handling tasks. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) requires the University to keep workers and others healthy and safe. This means that the University must eliminate musculoskeletal risks from work, so far as is reasonably practicable. If risks can’t be eliminated, they must be minimised.
- The University, as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is required to:
Implement good work design principles and practices in the work environment, which eliminate musculoskeletal risks or minimise them, so far as is reasonably practicable. - Engage with workers when identifying musculoskeletal risks and their controls, including when changing work processes.
- Monitor the health of workers and the conditions at work to prevent WRMSDs developing or being exacerbated.
Downloads
Key contacts
Occupational Health Nurses
Email OHN@otago.ac.nz