Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00406:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00406
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15563–21042

workers in a particular location are exposed to more hazardous manual tasks than in other areas and this could indicate a problem with the design and layout of that work area or the way work is carried out there.
These trends may help in deciding which manual tasks should be addressed as a priority.

Observe manual tasks
Hazardous manual tasks can also be identified by looking at how people actually work and focussing on their postures and movements. A manual task is hazardous if it involves any of the following characteristics (described in Section 2.2):
    * repetitive or sustained force
    * high or sudden force
    * repetitive movement
    * sustained and/or awkward posture
    * exposure to vibration.
Things to look out for include:
    * any changes that have resulted in new manual tasks or a changed environment
    * tasks involving tools, machinery or equipment that do not work properly or are difficult to use, and
    * if workers have made improvisations to tasks to avoid discomfort (such as stacking mats or flattened cartons to stand on).
The hazard identification worksheet in Appendix C may be used to record your findings.

2.2 Characteristics of Hazardous Manual Tasks
Force is the amount of muscular effort required to perform a movement or task. Forceful muscular exertions overload muscles, tendons, joints and discs and are associated with most MSDs.

Repetitive force - using force repeatedly over a period of time to move or support an object                                                                                               Examples of repetitive force include:                                                                                        Figure 1
                                                                                                                                                                                               * lifting and stacking goods onto a pallet
                                                                                                                                                                                               * gripping and handling bricks when bricklaying (Figure 1)
                                                                                                                                                                                               * repetitively pressing components with the thumbs or other part of the hand to assemble an item
                                                                                                                                                                                               * prolonged application of therapeutic massage treatments
                                                                                                                                                                                               * removing splinting material from patients using shears.
Sustained force - occurs when force is applied continually over a period of time.                                                                                                          Examples of sustained force include:                                                                                         Figure 2
                                                                                                                                                                                               * pushing or pulling a trolley around hospital wards (Figure 2)
                                                                                                                                                                                               * holding down a trigger to operate a power tool
                                                                                                                                                                                               * supporting a plaster sheet while fixing it to a ceiling
                                                                                                                                                                                               * carrying objects over long distances
                                                                                                                                                                                               * supporting, positioning or stabilising a patient's limb during surgery or when applying splinting or casting material
High force – may be exerted by the back, arm or leg muscles or by the hands and fingers.                                                                                                   Examples of high force include:                                                                                              Figure 3
High force occurs in any tasks that:                                                                                                                                                           * Lifting, lowering or carrying a heavy object
    * a worker describes as very demanding physically                                                                                                                                          * Lifting, lowering or carrying an object that cannot be positioned close to the body
    * a worker needs help to do because of the effort it