Hazardous Manual Task Risk Assessment

Date completing this form: *

MM

DD

YYYY

Work Environment *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Does the work environment cause awkward actions or movements?

Is the task done in a restricted space?

Is the workplace hot, cold or poorly lit?

Are the floor surfaces uneven?

Are the floor surfaces slippery?

Are there restrictions imposed by personal protective equipment for this task?

Workplace & Workstation Layout *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Does the work environment cause awkward actions or movements?

Is the task done in a restricted space?

Is the workplace hot, cold or poorly lit?

Are the floor surfaces uneven?

Are the floor surfaces slippery?

Are there restrictions imposed by personal protective equipment for this task?

Workplace & Workstation Layout *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Are any frequently handled objects beyond easy reach?

Are displays difficult to read from the person’s usual work position?

Are controls, switches/keys on tools, equipment/instruments positioned in such a way that they are difficult to grasp?

Does layout of workplace result in excessive twisting or bending?

Work Organisation *

Are there any of the following factors present in the workplace and apply to the task? Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Peaks or sudden increases in workloads?

Work requiring speed?

Bonus/Incentive schemes?

Overtime work?

Insufficient staff to meet any increase in demand?

Regular overtime worked involving repetitive actions?

A lack of appropriately trained relief staff?

Inadequate time to meet targets set?

Task *

Do any of the following apply to the task being assessed for risk? Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

frequent or prolonged stooping involved where the hands pass below mid-thigh height

frequent or prolonged reaching above the shoulder involved

a vertical distance of travel of more than 25cm

frequent or prolonged sideways twisting of the body

any action require maintaining a force, for example, holding a grip or position for more than 10 seconds

maintaining a fixed or awkward position, particularly of the neck or arms

maintaining a fixed or awkward position, particularly of the neck or arms

the task is done for more than one hour at a time

the task is done more than once every five minutes

similar actions are repeated for more than one hour in a work day/shift

similar actions are repeated for more than several times a minute

Load *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no. NOTE: Weight is not used to prescribe absolute limits, but is one of the important factors to be considered when assessing and controlling risk.

Apart from lifting or lowering, is it difficult to push, pull, restrain, hold or otherwise move the object?

Is the weight of the object more than 4.5kg and handled from a seated position?

Is the weight of the object more than 16kg and handled in a working posture other than seated?

Is the weight of the object more than 55kg

Is the weight of the object beyond the capacity of the person doing the task?

Is the object bulky or awkward (more than 75cm in two dimensions)?

Is unbalanced, uneven or one-handed lifting or carrying involved?

Is awkward grip involved?

Are slippery materials/objects handled?

Does the object have unbalanced contents or contents that may move?

Are the tools and equipment awkward or uncomfortable to use?

Duration & Frequency Of The Activity *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Are working heights fixed (that is, not adjustable to match the height and size of the workers to their optimum working height?

Does the working height very significantly from the optimum working height?

Is fine assembly or writing tasks are performed for most of the shift?

If yes, is there adequate support for the forearm?

Is most of the task performed where the wrists are not in a neutral (natural) position?

Is most work performed with the upper arms is an unsupported position away from the body (with or without discomfort)

Does the task require the worker to work with arms outstretched from the body for at least one minute without rest?

Does the task require a worker to work continuously or repetitively above shoulder level for at least 30 seconds?

Does the task require part (e.g. neck) or all of the body to be held in a fixed position so that it causes discomfort, for example, a task that requires looking upwards or downwards for long periods of time?

Does the task require a worker to maintain an awkward position for at least 30 seconds?

Is the worker required to bend frequently at low working heights to handle objects?

Does the shape, width, length and texture of the tool handle cause discomfort?

If an object is handled, is the object presented to a worker in a position that makes it difficult to grasp or hold?

Individual Capacity *

Check the box with a tick if the answer is yes, leave blank if no.

Is the task done by new workers or those returning from extended time away from work?

Is the task done by young workers, older workers or those with an on-going disability?

Is there a lack of worker training appropriate to the task?

If the worker is a new staff member, or has recently returned from leave, is the worker expected to perform at the regular pace of level without re-adjustment to the workload?