Manual Task ProgramsPrime Health Group (Qld) provide comprehensive programs that address the major risk factors associated with work related musculoskeletal injuries (WMSDs) arising from manual tasks. Our programs focus on identifying and assessing manual tasks and then applying the appropriate service to control the associated risk. The maximum physical capabilities required to carry out associated work tasks should form the base line for the minimum physical capabilities you will accept in a fit person prior to or currently in employment. Once it has been determined that individuals have the baseline physical capacity to carry out tasks, then the organisation should implement a task specific manual handling training to educate staff and develop appropriate safe handling techniques. Manual tasks that pose an unacceptable risk should be prioritised immediately with significant OH&S and ergonomic resources focused on identifying an immediate short-term control followed up with long term strategies that will identify whether the task can be eliminated, substituted, engineered or modified to limit the risk to an acceptable level. ServicesManual task audits: This service focuses on identifying and assessing manual tasks through out the organisation providing a report and general recommendations on tasks / risks and broad actions required to control the manual task risk. Manual task risk assessments and Ergonomic intervention: This service focuses on specific high-risk tasks or processes where it has been identified that there is a need for ergonomic intervention. The service involves in depth analysis of the job, task, process, research on possible solutions, ongoing consultation with the organisation to ensure ergonomic solutions can be implemented into the operational process reducing the exposure to manual task risk. Manual Task Training: Prime Health Group (Qld) have a number of quality educational theory programs that focus on Back Care, anatomy and physiology and general manual handling – ergonomic principles. The training is then tailored to the high-risk tasks associated with your workplace where staff can apply this theory over a number of practical exercises that are applicable to their work. Appropriate records are kept demonstrate manual task competency. Individual Assessments: Individual Assessments of staff who are exposed to manual tasks can assist the organisation determine their base line physical capacities. This includes assessing areas such as lifting, pushing, pulling– standing, sitting, bending and squatting tolerances, range of motion tests such as bending, twisting. Information from these tests can then be used to assist in the hiring and training of individuals ensuring the organisation does not place them at risk through employment and exposure to job / tasks that may lead to aggravation of pre existing conditions. Note: due to the aging work force, assessments can be used to assist organisations modify roles where staff no longer have the capacities to carry out all the tasks required. Individual Assessments include:
Symptom management programs: Repetition can be the major casual factor in relation to manual task injuries. This risk factor is difficult to control by the very nature of some manufacturing businesses – however, if reported early tendonitis and strains can be treated effectively onsite by professional industrial therapists who understand the demands of the business and can treat individuals early and effectively reducing the severity and number of WMSDs. See onsite therapy - Link Summary and conclusion To significantly reduce the injuries associated with manual tasks, organisations must commit resources to an overall strategy that will:
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