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Manual Handling

SWMS · SWMS-10168

  • 18 job steps
  • Version 9
  • Miscellaneous
  • Reads on any phone

This SWMS helps businesses identify and control the hazards of manual handling: lifting, carrying and setting down, team lifts, lifting aids, awkward and sustained postures, workstation ergonomics, driving, handheld tools, shift work, and handling people and animals.

It takes your crew through each step, from training, resources and a risk assessment to preparing the task, doing it safely and emergency response.

It suits organisations where manual handling is a frequent task, including construction sites, manufacturing facilities, warehouses and healthcare settings, and the safety managers and supervisors who run the work.

Written by SafetyDocs safety experts, who have been writing safety documents since 2004.

Preview of the Manual Handling SWMS

Manual Handling

SWMSVersion 9
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[Site address]
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work (HRCW)

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

  • Mobile PlantWork in an area where there is any movement of powered mobile plant

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/Licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/Review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

Australian Government

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011

Australian Capital Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Queensland

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

New South Wales

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025

Northern Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

South Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2012

Tasmania

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022

Western Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2020
  • Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Training

    • Hazard

      Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) injuries

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Ensure all workers have undertaken training for hazardous manual tasks

      • Manual tasks include all physical activity, yet only present a risk when they are considered hazardous. Hazardous manual tasks can lead to injuries that are called “Musculoskeletal Disorder Injuries” or MSD’s.

      • MSD injuries include but not limited to - muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons in the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs, muscles, ligaments or discs in the back, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sprains and more. These injuries can be sudden or occur gradually over time

      • Indirect injuries:

        • Crushed by the loss of loads

        • Falls from height

        • Cuts and lacerations

      • Lifting aid training includes:

        • Check that the lifting aid is correct type and size for the intended work

        • Pre-inspection requirements

        • Safe Load Limit (SLL) or Safe Working Load (WLL)

        • The positioning of items on the aid

        • Safe movement of the aid

        • Potential hazards in the work zone (plant /vehicles/people)

        • Set up the work area to minimise travel distance with loaded aid

      • Powered mobile plant - groundworkers instructed on:

        • The UHF channel to communicate with plant operators

        • Not to approach mobile plant until the operator has agreed to their request to approach

        • On set distances to maintain from the mobile plant while in operation

        • Groundworkers and mobile plant operators are aware of any traffic management plan and no go zones

        • Are made familiar with the blind spots of the mobile plant.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

17 more job steps, from Provide adequate resources to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

18 job steps

  1. TrainingTrain workers in hazardous manual tasks, lifting aids and working near mobile plant
  2. Provide adequate resourcesProvide enough workers, time, lifting aids and equipment for the task
  3. Conduct a risk assessment identifying potentially hazardous manual tasksAssess the lifting task and identify hazardous manual tasks
  4. PreparationPlan the travel path, check the load and keep the area clear
  5. Lifting, carrying & setting down without lifting aidsLift, carry and set down loads safely without lifting aids
  6. Team liftsPlan and rehearse team lifts with matched team members
  7. Non-powered lifting aid useInspect lifting aids and push rather than pull them
  8. Powered mobile plant lifting aidsWork safely with and around cranes, forklifts and other powered mobile plant
  9. Working in awkward, sustained and/or static positionsRotate jobs, take breaks and support tools in sustained postures
  10. DrivingAdjust the seat and controls, and manage fatigue and vibration when driving
  11. Workstation ergonomics – workshops, construction, kitchensSet up workstations and storage at suitable heights
  12. Seated tasks e.g. office workSelect and position furniture and equipment for seated work
  13. Standing tasksProvide seating, footrests and floor cushioning for standing work
  14. Handheld tool operation – powered & non-poweredChoose tools that reduce vibration, hand strain and overreaching
  15. Shift workAllow breaks and recovery time, and review repetitive work on long shifts
  16. People handlingApply a zero lift policy and use aids when moving people
  17. Animal handlingUse qualified workers and lifting equipment to handle animals
  18. Emergency responseCall 000, follow emergency procedures and report the incident

Hazards it covers

Legislation and standards it references

Every SWMS comes with our legislation and codes of practice reference list.

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