CBCC WH&S Policy & Procedures - Coolum Beach Christian College

Introduction:
Manual handling includes any activity which requires the use of physical force to
move, hold or restrain an object or thing. This involves lifting, pushing, pulling,
holding, grasping, wheeling, sliding and operation of levers. These tasks can be
performed by one or more persons.
The activities in the workplace that require manual handling include lifting bags and
boxes, pushing trolleys, lifting furniture, carrying trays, carrying and emptying bins of
rubbish, and cleaning activities.
Manual handling injuries include cuts, bruises, crush injuries, sprains, abdominal
hernias and fractures. The parts of the body most affected by manual handling
injuries are the back, neck, arms, hands and legs with the back being the most costly.
Policy Statement:
Coolum Beach Christian College accepts it has a legal and moral obligation to all staff
and patrons to ensure the risks associated with manual handling within the College
are reduced to as low a level as possible.
To fulfil this obligation, it is committed to providing the systems of work and the
environment necessary to minimise the potential risk of injuries from manual handling
tasks.
All employees will be provided with the information and education in correct manual
handling techniques and the correct procedures for each manual handling task in the
induction program.
Staff have a responsibility to familiarise themselves and comply with any procedures
and recommendations provided to them to prevent manual handling injuries.
Manual Handling Procedures:
Risk assessments will be conducted on all manual handling tasks within the
workplace. This includes hazard identification, assessment of risk, developing and
implementing – control measures and evaluation of these controls.
Elimination and substitutions of the tasks with mechanical devices will be instigated
where possible.
- 18 -T:\SAFE CBCC\SAFE\S.A.F.E.Risk Management Prog\CBCC WH&S Policy & Procedures
Manual.doc