Why Is Manual Handling Important

Why is manual handling important enough to sit near the top of most safety programmes? Because body stressing is consistently one of the largest categories of workplace injury in Australia.

Two features make it costly beyond the injury count. Recovery is slow, since back and shoulder injuries frequently involve extended time off and modified duties rather than a quick return. And recurrence is high, because the task that caused it is usually still there when the worker comes back.

There is a workforce dimension as well. These injuries end careers in physically demanding roles, and they fall hardest on people who have done the work longest.

That combination is why control at the task, rather than technique training alone, is where the return sits.

Safe Work Australia publishes injury data and the model code. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s manual handling course and work health and safety course.