Safety Self-Assessment Tool

View Hazard Questionnaire

1. Manual Handling

Introductory note:

Manual handling means any activity requiring the use of the body to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain an animate or inanimate object.

How often do any of your workers manually handle heavy loads without any form of mechanical assistance?






Question Yes No
Have you involved your workers in considering all their tasks and discussed with them ideas on reducing the chance of injury from manual handling?
Do you make sure no person manually handles heavy and awkward loads without assistance?

Learn more about mechanical assistance

It is suggested that mechanical assistance be considered for all loads to reduce the risk of injury associated with heavier weights. Team lifting arrangements, if considered, should form part of your risk assessment of the tasks to be undertaken.

Do you make sure that manual handling of loads does not involve twisting or stretching of the spine especially if the loads are heavy or awkward to handle?
Do you make sure that heavy or awkward loads are not handled manually below knee height or above shoulder height?
Do you make sure that heavy or awkward loads to handle are not stored below knee-height or above shoulder height?

Learn more about handling heavy or awkward loads

Shelves below knee height or above shoulder height can be used, however, for seldom used items.

Have you checked whether your workers have any health problems and made sure manual handling will not make the problems worse?

Learn more about workers with health problems

Under these circumstances, you should adjust a worker’s tasks or, if this is not possible, give them different tasks.
Do you provide appropriate mechanical assistance for moving loads that have a potential of causing injury no matter what the weight is?

Learn more about providing mechanical assistance

No one should be required to lift, carry or lower loads that are outside their physical capacity unless mechanical aids are available. Team lifting arrangements should only be considered following a full risk assessment. Mechanical assistance can include use of trolleys, trucks, hoists, scissor lift etc
Have you incorporated appropriate solutions for manual handling (eg when to consider mechanical assistance) into written safe work procedures?
Do you train all your workers in safe manual handling and how to safely use mechanical aids?
Do you periodically check with your workers to see if they have any ill-heath symptoms, such as backache, from manual handling?

Learn more about workers with ill-health symptoms

Under these circumstances, you should adjust a worker’s tasks or, if this is not possible, give them different tasks.

Have you told workers to report any symptoms of injury caused by manual handling?