This safety alert reminds persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU, commonly known as businesses) to manage the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by complying with their duties under work health and safety legislation.
MSDs are injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and include body sprains and strains. They can occur suddenly or gradually through wear and tear of the body.
Background
SafeWork NSW undertook compliance inspections in the food product manufacturing sector and saw workers being exposed to risk factors of MSDs. In particular, Inspectors saw workers handling product ingredients in hazardous ways during mixing and blending.
In one instance, Inspectors saw workers repetitively lifting 25kg bags of flour from a pallet to a mixing machine, reportedly for up to eight hours each day. This involved lifting from ground level and/or above shoulder level and carrying bags approximately three metres. As a result, workers were exposed to several risk factors including:
- repetitive movements
- high and repetitive force
- awkward postures.
These risk factors are some features of a hazardous manual task. Over 50% of work-related MSDs, such as sprains and strains, are caused by hazardous manual tasks.
Comply with your duties
- PCBUs must manage risks to health and safety relating to an MSD associated with a hazardous manual task. You must do this by identifying hazards, using the hierarchy of control measures to manage risks, and maintaining and reviewing control measures.
- PCBUs must consult with affected workers and/or their representatives, such as health and safety committees, when you are identifying hazards. You must also consult them when making decisions about the best ways to eliminate or minimise risks that might lead to them getting an MSD.
- PCBUs must provide their workers with any information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety at work.
Manage the risk of MSDs
When putting control measures in place to manage MSDs relating to a hazardous manual task, PCBUs must consider:
- postures, movements, forces and vibration related to the task
- how often and how long these specific postures, movements or forces are done or held
- the design and layout of the workplace, such as the height of a workbench or the distance from where ingredients are stored to where they are used
- the way work is done or organised, such as ways to prevent workers’ fatigue
- the nature, size, weight and number of things handled, and
- work environmental conditions that may affect the task or worker, such as heat and cold, lighting and ventilation.
This duty is set out in clause 60(2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
Use task specific control measures
To prevent the risk of MSDs when handling product ingredients, food manufacturers should consider:
- Using lifting aids or conveyor systems when handling items
- Re-designing the layout of the workplace to limit the distance workers must carry items
- Substituting loads with items that are easier to handle, such as fewer or lighter bags of products
- Giving workers adequate support and training.
Further information and guidance material
- Contact SafeWork NSW
- Code of practice - Hazardous manual tasks
- Hazardous manual tasks
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017
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