1. Objective

1.1 Injuries arising from manual handling constitute a significant proportion of the total number of work-related injuries occurring at the University.

On a national basis there is broad industrial agreement on the causes of such injuries and the alteration to work practices required to significantly reduce their level.

1.2 The Occupational Health and Safety Policy Committee views the identification and reduction of existing hazards in the workplace as being of primary concern.

2. Implementation

2.1 Incident reports have been used to identify areas and functions where injuries arising from manual handling are common. They are:

a. Workshops

b. Stores

c. Libraries

d. Animal Houses

f. Cleaning

g. Mail system

h. Building & Grounds\Maintenance Operations

i. Laboratories*

j. Catering*

(* i & j may require further definition)

2.2 The Occupational Health and Safety Policy Committee has decided to establish working parties to scrutinise the operations of these areas and functions in order to facilitate an early reduction in the number of injuries.

It is proposed that a Manual Handling Work Group (MHWG) be established for each area or function. For example, a work group will be established to cover all workshops and another to cover all cleaning operations.
Workshops, stores and cleaning operations have been selected for immediate inspection. It is anticipated that the other areas and functions listed will be inspected during 1988.

3. Manual Handling Work Groups (MHWGs)

3.1 Each MHWG will consist of one member of the OHS Unit, one employee from a relevant area or function and one other member. At least one of these will be nominated by the Unions\Associations.

The MHWG will inspect each workplace relevant to the function or area, with a member of the area OHS committee.
A checklist (Attachment A) may be used by the MHWG to assist in maintaining a record of an inspection. 3.2

The Draft Code of Practice on Safe Manual Handling produced by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) in December 1986 will be used as a guide for the evaluation of hazards by the MHWGs, until it is replaced by the Final Code of Practice.

3.3 The MHWGs will be briefed by the OHS Unit member of the group on the contents of the NOHSC Draft Code of Practice, with special emphasis being given to aspects relevant to the function or area under consideration.

4. Matters Requiring Immediate Attention

4.1 If the Group believes that there is a hazard which requires immediate attention, it will report the matter to the:

(a) local supervisor

(b) local Business Officer\Laboratory Manager or equivalent.

(c) Chair, area OHS committee

(d) OHS Officer

and in each case recommend action to be taken. This will be recorded in the final report. The OHS Officer will be responsible for auditing the implementation of the recommended action.

5. Reporting and Action

5.1 Following the completion of its visits to all relevant workplaces, the MHWG will write an initial report.

The report will identify hazardous practices and environments and recommend actions to be taken. Particular attention will be given to engineering solutions, including mechanical assistance and to alteration of workplace organisation and function.

5.2 In making its recommendations, the MHWG will pay particular attention to the functional similarity between the workplaces and the consequent possibility of resource sharing. For example, in some cases it may be appropriate to recommend that an inventory of heavy duty lifting gear is compiled and distributed amongst the workplaces.

5.3 Included in the report from the MHWG will be a list of priorities for the actions recommended and a proposed timetable for such actions. The timetable should be agreed with the relevant Business Officer\Laboratory Manager or equivalent, if possible.

5.4 Following the compilation of the initial report, the MHWG will submit it to the relevant area OHS committees and the relevant Business Officers\Laboratory Managers - or equivalent for comment. Comments must be returned to the MHWG within one month.

5.5 At this stage, Business Officers\Laboratory Managers or equivalent should implement accepted recommendations. Any reservations of the Business Officers\Laboratory Managers or equivalent will be appended to the final report of the MHWG.

5.6 The final report will be submitted to the:

(a) area OHS committees

(b) Business Officers\Laboratory Managers or equivalent concerned, for distribution to the workplace examined

(c) OHS Policy Committee.

(d) OHS Officer

6. Auditing

6.1 The Secretary, or his nominee, will deal with any reservations of a Business Officer\Laboratory Manager or equivalent.

6.2 Unless otherwise delegated, the OHS Officer will be responsible for auditing that, within each workplace, actions are taken according to the agreed timetable. If an area fails to meet this requirement the OHS Officer will provide a report to the OHS Policy Committee; the Committee will be responsible for taking further action.

6.3 It is the responsibility of each Business Officer\Laboratory Manager or equivalent to notify the OHS Officer when the required actions have been taken.