A participative hazard identification and risk management (APHIRM) toolkit workshops
Learn how to use our free online occupational health and safety (OHS) risk management toolkit in your workplace.
APHIRM toolkit
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by hazardous manual handling are the most common injury in Australian workplaces.
We’ve worked with La Trobe University on a participative hazard identification and risk management (APHIRM) toolkit to support your workplace in preventing injuries, particularly MSDs.
Developed for Victorian employers and OHS professionals in medium to large workplaces, the free online toolkit helps you:
- identify the physical and psychosocial hazards in your workplace that increase risk of MSDs
- engage employees in the risk management process
- design actions to address specific hazards
- monitor progress and review outcomes.
About MSDs
MSDs can include:
- sprains and strains
- back injuries
- soft-tissue injuries to the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs
- soft-tissue hernias
- chronic pain.
When environmental and psychosocial hazards combine, the risk of MSDs increases.
Environmental hazards are things like:
- vibration
- heat and humidity
- cold and wind
- slippery and/or uneven floor surfaces
- obstructions
- poor lighting.
Psychosocial hazards are things like:
- high job demands, including workload and pace
- low job control
- poor support from supervisors, managers and colleagues.
Introductory workshop
Ready to implement the toolkit in your workplace? We recommend attending an introductory one-hour workshop, which can help you learn:
- more about the toolkit
- how to use it effectively alongside other resources
- how it can benefit your workplace.
Toolkit benefits
By using the APHIRM toolkit you can:
- reduce injuries
- improve staff wellbeing and morale
- improve staff engagement
- reduce absenteeism
- create a safer place to work.
Eligibility
The workshops are designed for Victorian:
- employers, managers and supervisors with OHS responsibilities
- medium and large sized businesses including full-time, part-time and casual employees.
Case study
Watch how Productivity Matters used the APHIRM toolkit to improve food service outcomes and staff wellbeing in Victorian hospitals.
Workshop dates
Date | Time | Location | Register |
---|---|---|---|
Tuesday 11 November 2025 | 12 pm – 1 pm | Microsoft Teams | |
Wednesday 22 April 2026 | 12 pm – 1 pm | Microsoft Teams |
Registration
Register using the links above.
Access the toolkit
Related information
Secure and confidential
All information entered in the toolkit is stored securely. All data is de-identified and is not shared with WorkSafe. La Trobe University manages personal information in accordance with the La Trobe University Privacy Policy and Procedure. De-identified data may be used to support ongoing research and educational purposes.

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