Case study Read the case study, then answer the questions that follow. Philip ha
ID: 122749 • Letter: C
Question
Case study
Read the case study, then answer the questions that follow.
Philip has just commenced working in a busy care facility which provides care to many people who require full assistance with all aspects of their personal care. Zoe is Philip’s manager and has asked Philip to read and apply the manual handling policies, procedures and practices of his new workplace. Zoe has also requested that Philip be on the lookout for hazardous manual tasks and to report any that he becomes aware of.
1. What important manual handling information should Phillip find in his workplace WHS policies and procedures?
2. What are some common manual handling procedures and work instructions that Philip may be required to follow in order to minimise manual handling risk?
3. What are some ways that Zoe may identify hazardous manual tasks in the workplace?
Explanation / Answer
1. ANS: Manual handling is any activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining. It may also include stretching and bending, sustained and awkward postures, and repetitive movements. A Work Health and Safety Management System can be described as the systematic methodology used to address occupational health and safety in an organization. With the system components in place, the various specific work health and safety issues can be addressed within this framework. Goals and objectives will be needed to achieve the implementation of a WHS management system within realistic timeframes. The Standard WHS Manual contains basic generic policy and procedures that can be applied to any small to medium size business. The WHS manual focuses on setting up the foundations for a successfully run WHS system so that legislative compliance is assured.
The Standard WHS Manual Includes:
A. WHS Policy
B. Company Objectives
Planning, Review and Evaluation
Hazard Identification and Management
Training and Supervision
Incident Reporting and Investigation
Consultation and Participation
Emergency Planning and Response
2. ANS: The Standard WHS Manual Procedures:
Health and Safety plan procedure
Risk Management procedure
Hazard reporting procedure
Induction procedure
Training procedure
Consultation procedure
Emergency procedure
Workplace inspection procedure
Workplace Harassment/Bullying
First Aid
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimizing manual handling risk:
One way to assess manual handling activities is to look at four specific areas….
1. The Task Does the activity involve twisting, stooping, bending, excessive travel, pushing, pulling or precise positioning of the load, sudden movement, inadequate rest or recovery periods, team handling or seated work?
2. The Individual Does the individual require unusual strength or height for the activity, are they pregnant, disabled or suffering from a health problem. Is specialist knowledge or training required?
3. The Load Is the load heavy, unwieldy, difficult to grasp, sharp, hot, cold, difficult to grip, are the contents likely to move or shift?
4. The Environment Are there space constraints, uneven, slippery or unstable floors, variations in floor levels, poor lighting, poor ventilation, gusty winds, clothing or Personal Protective Equipment that restricts movement?
3. ANS: A hazardous manual task refers to a task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing involving factors that stress the body. Manual handling relates to the moving of items either by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling. The weight of the item is an important factor, but many other factors can create a risk of injury, so employers to manage the risks to their employees. They must:
A. Avoid hazardous manual handling operations as far as is reasonably practicable, by redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or by automating or mechanizing the process.
B. Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
C. Reduce the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably practicable. Where possible, provide mechanical assistance, for example, a sack trolley or hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicable then explores changes to the task, the load and the working environment.