VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Infosheet 3. Manual Handling
Putting boxes on shelves, painting, gardening, cleaning, writing and typing are some examples of manual handling tasks.
Manual handling injuries include:
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strains and sprains
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neck and back injuries
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slips, falls and crush incidents
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cuts, bruises and broken bones
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hernia
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occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).
You should be informed and trained in: •
safe manual handling methods
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specific manual handling hazards
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safe work procedures
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use of any required manual handling aids
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your right to ask for help.
Most manual handling injuries can be prevented by designing the task to minimise risk. Instruction, training and supervision are essential to make sure hazards are recognised and safe work methods are used.
Even though you may be young and new to the job, you have a responsibility to speak up. Talk to your supervisor if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Ways to reduce the risk: •
Lighten loads (break loads into smaller quantities)
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Reduce the need for bending, twisting, reaching movements
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Use team lifting
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Use mechanical assistance (e.g. trolleys and adjustable height workbenches and seating)
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Prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This includes warming up before working, taking rest breaks, and
allowing time to get used to a new task.
Slippery floors Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are hazardous and can result in serious accidents. For example, kitchen workers have been burnt when they have accidentally pulled pots of hot liquid onto themselves when a slip has caused them to fall.
Floors should be cleaned regularly so that oil, fat and other spills do not create a slippery surface.
Employers must make sure that floors are even, slip-resistant and free from any obstruction that could cause an employee to slip, trip or fall.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1 Â
Worksheet Sentence Match TASK: Pair the sentence fragments. 1. Most manual handling injuries can be prevented by ...
... talk to your supervisor.
2. Muscle sprains and strains are ...
... examples of manual handling tasks.
3. For manual handling tasks, it is the employer's responsibility to provide you with ... 4. If you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury, you should ... 5. Mechanical assistance for manual handling tasks includes things like ... 6. Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are ... 7. Warming up before working, taking rest breaks, and allowing time to get used to a new task are all ... 8. Putting boxes on shelves, painting, gardening, cleaning, writing and typing are all ... 9. Team lifts (where the load is shared) are a good way of ... 10. Manual handling refers to any activity requiring the use of force by a person to ...
.. hazardous, and can result in serious accidents.
... lift, lower, push, pull, hold or restrain something.
... ways of preventing muscle strain and fatigue.
... designing the task to minimise risk.
... reducing manual handling risk.
... trolleys, adjustable height workbenches and seating. ... safe work procedures, instruction, training and supervision. ... typical manual handling injuries.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Short Answer Exercise TASK: Using the ‘Infosheet’ and the links below, complete the following six questions: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/laws-and-regulations/acts-and-regulations http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/laws-and-regulations/occupational-health-and-safety/compliance-codes
1. What sorts of workplaces are covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (the ‘OHS Act’)?
2. Why is consultation an important part of Victoria’s health and safety laws?
3. What are Compliance Codes? What sort of things do they cover?
4. List five of the hazards covered by Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007?
5. Select one group of people who have specific responsibilities under the OHS Act.
What are their
responsibilities?
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
6. The OHS Act says that a person’s responsibility (or duty of care) applies only as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’. What does this mean?
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