This guide may not reflect the most up-to-date legislation or regulatory requirements. Please consult the relevant official legislation or seek further advice to ensure compliance with current legislation.
In 2008, the Department undertook the Manual handling review of the WA mining industry to gather information in order to scope directions, strategies and activities to reduce injuries, specifically musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) from performing manual tasks at work.
The most effective way to tackle hazards is to adopt a risk management approach, and this also applies to hazardous manual tasks. The risk management approach can address both the safety (i.e. acute injuries) and health (i.e. cumulative injuries) aspects of this hazard. This guide for mining workplaces addresses key factors to effectively manage the risks associated with manual tasks.