How do you monitor and review your manual handling policies and procedures?

1 Assess the risks

The first step to monitor and review your manual handling policies and procedures is to assess the risks involved in your work activities. You need to identify the hazards, evaluate the level of harm they can cause, and determine the control measures to eliminate or reduce them. You can use a risk assessment tool, such as the Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) or the Risk Assessment of Pushing and Pulling (RAPP) tool, to help you with this process. You should involve your workers, managers, and health and safety representatives in the risk assessment, as they can provide valuable insights and feedback.

2 Implement the controls

The next step is to implement the control measures that you have identified in the risk assessment. You should follow the hierarchy of control, which prioritises the most effective ways to prevent or minimise manual handling risks. The hierarchy of control consists of four levels: elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative. For example, you can eliminate the need for manual handling by using automation or mechanisation, substitute heavy or bulky items with lighter or smaller ones, engineer the work environment or equipment to reduce the strain or effort, or administer the work organisation or practices to limit the exposure or duration. You should also provide your workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, shoes, or belts, if necessary.

3 Train the workers

The third step is to train your workers on how to perform manual handling tasks safely and correctly. You should provide them with information, instruction, and supervision on the manual handling policies and procedures, the risks and controls, and the best practices and techniques. You should also demonstrate and practice the manual handling skills with them, such as how to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects using the correct posture, grip, and force. You should tailor the training to suit the specific needs and abilities of your workers, and update it regularly to reflect any changes in the work activities or environment.

4 Monitor the performance

The fourth step is to monitor the performance of your manual handling policies and procedures, and check whether they are achieving the desired outcomes. You should measure and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the control measures, the compliance and satisfaction of the workers, and the incidence and severity of manual handling injuries. You can use various methods and tools to monitor the performance, such as inspections, audits, observations, surveys, feedback, reports, records, or indicators. You should also communicate and consult with your workers, managers, and health and safety representatives on the results and any issues or concerns.

5 Review and improve

The final step is to review and improve your manual handling policies and procedures, and make any necessary changes or adjustments. You should review them periodically, or whenever there is a significant change in the work activities or environment, a new hazard or risk is identified, or an incident or injury occurs. You should analyse the data and information collected from the monitoring process, identify the strengths and weaknesses, and determine the areas for improvement. You should also seek and implement the suggestions and recommendations from your workers, managers, and health and safety representatives on how to enhance the manual handling policies and procedures.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?