Elements and Performance Criteria

Range description
Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, legislation, regulations and industrial awards and agreements
Workplace information may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), OHS procedures, equipment manufacturers' advice, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Codes of Practice and related advice
Equipment may include but is not limited to trolleys, pallet jacks, conveyors, and vacuum lifters, and other mechanical handling and lifting aids and equipment
Task specific training is provided as appropriate
Contributions to manual handling risk minimisation including reporting equipment requiring maintenance, especially wheeled equipment or other equipment where friction may increase force requirements
Changes to workplace layout and environment within area of control may include but not be limited to changes in location of load such as use of bench to not lift from floor; arrangement of items to eliminate above shoulder handling; placement of trolley; using sit stand stools; using task lighting; and using a footrest
Task modifications within area of control may include but are not limited to changes to frequency, duration, number of objects handled, route selected, seeking assistance as appropriate, housekeeping to minimise obstacles
Assessment of risks and evaluation of control options according to the hierarchy of control is carried out in consultation with others as required by workplace arrangements and regulatory requirements for risk assessment and control

Ability to:
Access workplace information relating to use of equipment and other task requirements
Identify any manual handling requirements of the work function and specifically any manual handling risks
Report manual handling risks using appropriate hazard and incident reporting procedures

For each manual handling risk, identify:

risks to self and others
any existing arrangements to control risks
Identify scope of responsibility to eliminate or control level of risk. For hazards outside scope of responsibility, identify and use the appropriate reporting and consultation arrangements to address hazards
Participate in consultative processes to evaluate options for removing or controlling manual handling risks. This requires applying hierarchy of control
Select appropriate equipment and techniques to suit manual handling task within workplace procedures
Inspect manual handling-related equipment/aids/tools to confirm fitness for use. This includes identifying and correcting and/or reporting signs of wear and tear
Follow procedures to complete manual handling tasks to maintain safety of self and others

Knowledge of:

Different types of manual handling activities. These include lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, holding, restraining, throwing and carrying
Types of injuries that can result from manual handling

Aspects of manual handling that may be risks (hazard identification). This may include:

repetitive or sustained application of force
repetitive or sustained awkward posture
repetitive or sustained movement
application of high force
manual handling of live animals (related to handling of poultry)
manual handling of unstable or unbalanced loads such as liquids
Workplace procedures and responsibilities for identifying and reporting manual handling hazards

Factors to be considered when assessing manual handling risks relevant to work role. Refer to workplace risk assessment sheets and Code of Practice advice where available. Factors include:

postures
movements
force required
duration and frequency of manual handling activity
environmental conditions such as hot and cold work environments
Procedures and responsibilities for conducting risk assessments of manual handling tasks
Typical options for eliminating or controlling manual handling risks associated with work functions. This requires application of principles of hierarchy of control and an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different options
Types of equipment and/or techniques used to eliminate or reduce manual handling risks in the workplace. This includes an understanding of when and how to use each type of technique/equipment relevant to manual handling tasks in work role
Level of authority to address OHS issues related to manual handling and related workplace arrangements for managing safety issues
Sources of advice on manual handling relevant to work function
Equipment available to assist manual handling, related inspections required to identify faulty equipment and related reporting procedures
Movement and postures that increase the risk of injury, and movements and postures to minimise the force in the body as applied to specific tasks in the workplace

Relationship with other standards
Pre-requisite units
There are no pre-requisite units for this competency standard.
Co-assessment of related units
This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competence relevant to the function or work role.

Resources required for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

Work procedures including advice on manual handling requirements and safe work practices
Workplace documentation and related advice such as Codes of Practice to support OHS arrangements for hazard identification, risks assessment and control
Materials and related equipment as appropriate for manual handling
Information on equipment capacity and operating procedures where relevant
Reporting and monitoring systems

Assessment requirements
For information on how to assess this competency standard and who can assess, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.