Manual handling

Manual handling is the biggest cause of workplace injury in Victoria. Last year, more than 10,000 people were injured as a result of unsafe manual handling.

Manual handling means using your body to exert force to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, move, hold or restrain objects or people.

Hazardous manual handling can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries. These can be debilitating and long-term conditions that can severely affect a person’s quality of life

The manual handling code of practice is a comprehensive document that will take you through the steps of risk assessment and control. It includes information on the responsibilities of designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of machinery and equipment.

A range of general solutions and industry and occupation specific guidance has also been developed to help workplaces identify and eliminate or reduce manual handling risks.