Construction phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) All phases Movement of materials by crane Crane operation Height of crane. Load visibility. Poor seat design and set up. Poor cabin design - visibility, lack of adjustability of seat, controls, monitors/displays. Devices - mirrors, cameras, windscreen wipers and washers that are not maintained/fit for purpose. Long periods of sedentary work. Frequently used and/or safety critical controls not located within the zone of reach. Mismatch of operator (physical dimensions) to cabin and seat design. Access to crane requires high physical effort and awkward postures. High job demands Operate crane via remote control. Cabin designed for optimal visibility: Technology enhanced integrated visual system. Mounted cameras and visual display units. Cabin floor and sides transparent. Cabin layout well designed (e.g. controls/levers, communications, adjustable/which do not require effort, stretching, leaning or twisting to operate). Seat is easily adjustable for height, weight, backrest and seat position and which will suit a wide range of operators. Adjustable armrests. Access and egress designed and located to minimise harmful postures, forces and movements; non slip handholds and surfaces. Safe access to prestart checkpoints. The cab is air-conditioned and/or exposure to heat stress is managed. Work is scheduled to minimise exposure to risk, operator and fatigue so that it: includes task variety avoids long periods of sedentary work and reduced exposure to whole body vibration (where relevant) includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to dogging or other tasks) manages environmental exposures (i.e. heat/ sun cold, other environmental factors). Regular maintenance of plant, windows, cleaning of access areas to reduce slips risk. Preventative seat maintenance/ replacement program. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks in crane operation including: safe system of work training on correct seat set up. concentration,
production pressure, cognitive overload. Whole body vibration. Individual worker factors (e.g. skills and experience). Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Site preparation Demolition Hand removal of structural members Removal of structural members may require high force and jerky, jolting movements, often using pinch bars and hammers to lever the materials apart. Difficult and awkward access to members - high, ground or low, tight spaces. Explosives. Robotics. Mechanical aids (excavator, crane). Chain blocks to assist with removal of components. Plan for availability of crane for movement of equipment and materials. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids and hand Multi-skilling of work teams. Team lifting. Competency training to workers about hazardous manual tasks in demolition work process including: safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing techniques.
Construction cycle phases Activity with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Operation of mobile plant Rollers Scrapers Dump trucks Dozers Seat design and set up. Poor cabin design - visibility, lack of adjustability of seat, pedals, steering wheel / controls, monitors/displays. Prolonged periods of sedentary work. Devices - mirrors, cameras, windscreen wipers and washers etc. that are not maintained/ fit for purpose. Mismatch of operator (physical dimensions) to cabin and seat design. Access to and from cabin. Frequently used and/or safety critical controls not located within the zone of reach. Insufficient clearance around controls and workstation equipment. High job demands - production pressure, cognitive overload. Operate plant via remote control. Hydraulic platforms (i.e. vertilifts). Plant designed for ease of access and egress (e.g. effective three points of contact with hand holds; designed and located to minimise harmful postures, forces and movements). Steps have adequate width and depth to accommodate foot, surface to allow the worker to access and egress the plant without exertion/awkward postures. Safe access to prestart checkpoints. Safe landing for operator access in to and out of the cabin. Plant have gates/barriers installed to prevent slips and falls during maintenance or access on the plant. The machine is fit for purpose (i.e. the appropriate size, and capacity for the work and the ground conditions). Roadways well prepared and maintained. Consultation with workers, industry and suppliers regarding plant selection/pre-purchase trialling. Work is scheduled to minimise exposure to risk, operator error and fatigue so it: includes task variety avoids long periods of sedentary work and reduced exposure to whole body vibration (where relevant) includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Plant operated as per manufacturer’s instructions. Regular maintenance of plant, windows, seat and access- cleaning of steps. Workers wear appropriate footwear. Workers use backpack or mechanical aids to carry loads onto/off plant.
Installation of couplings. Weight, size, of material. environmental factors (e.g. weather). Individual worker factors (e.g. skills and experience). includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids and hand tools. Multi-skilling of work teams. Team lifting. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks in pipelaying including: safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing techniques. Construction phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Footings and foundations Steel reo installation Carrying reobars or mesh sheets. Tie and install steel reo for footings or slabs. Condition of ground and other environment factors. Long reo bars are awkward and heavy, requiring two person lift and carry. Materials stored at ground Working at ground or in excavation. Access. Redesign the structural requirements. Redesign footings (e.g. pad footings on top of ground). Prefabricated Reduce bar size. Ensure availability and use crane for movement of materials on site. Provide reasonable height work stations. Plan for availability of crane for movement of equipment and materials. PC to liaise with contractor to ensure materials are placed close to work area and is evenly distributed. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts
Installation into trench. Walking on uneven surfaces. Individual worker factors (e.g. skills and experience). Tie the chair to the steel while at workstation. manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids and hand tools. Multi-skilling of work teams. Team lifting. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks in steel fixing process including: safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing techniques. Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Structure Formwork systems Laying of suspended horizontal deck (formply). Weight, size, shape of materials. One man carry 2.4m x 1.2m dimensions. Location of stack of ply to end of position. Access. Size of the installation. Environmental factors (e.g. wind). Individual factors such as skills and experience. Use prefabricated slabs that can be craned in to place. Alternative, lightweight formwork system. Tableform system. Use crane for movement of materials on site. Use telehandler. PC to liaise with contractor for placement of materials close to work. Plan for availability of crane for movement of equipment and materials. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids and hand of work teams.
Environmental conditions (e.g. heat and wind). Use of tools with poor ergonomic design for example rakes, screeds and trowels. Mechanical aids not available/used. Redesign the work area and process to reduce the need for workers to walk and work on steel mesh and in wet concrete. Use self-levelling concrete. Introduce a coating material over the concrete that provides the smooth finish required. Competency training to workers about hazardous manual tasks in concreting process including: safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Concrete placement Screeding Raking Edging Organisational factors (e.g. timing of concrete deliveries (e.g. late in the day or during heat of the day, the number of workers, pace of work, hours of work, ability to take rest breaks). Individual worker factors for example skills and experience. Redesign the hand tools used such as rakes, bull floats and edging trowels for improved ease of grip and working postures, particularly the wrist, knees, hips and spine. Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)
glazing installation windows glass doors. Varying floor levels making it difficult to use trolley or mechanical aid. Location of storage area and distance glass is to be carried. Small narrow loading bays; tight corners and restricted space that will impact on the ability to use a powered mechanical aid during unloading and movement on site. Characterisitics of the glass. Loading bay of suffient size to allow use of mechanical aid for movement of glass on deck. Use electronic pallet jack (EPJ) for movement of glass on site. Use well designed trolley specifically for handling glass. Use lighter materials and frame components. Use smart integrated design methods to reduce overall number of installations. Use vacuum cups for handling the glass. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids, trolleys and hand tools. Multi-skilling of work teams. Team lifting. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks including: windows/glass handling and installation process safe system of work use mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing procedures. Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Internal fixtures fixing and setting Manually carrying sheets. Fixing sheets to and ceilings Plasterboard is large, awkward and difficult to grasp and handle, and heavy if sound or fire rated. Poor access and for use of mechanical aid or trolley. Use pre-fabricated units craned into place. Choose lighter weight plasterboard. Choose alternative material. Order sheets in smaller sizes. Loading bay of suffient size to use of EPJ. PC to liaise with contractor to ensure materials are placed close to work area and is evenly distributed. Planning – store sheets close to where work is being done before internal frames erected. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety
(i.e. use of power tools setting). Varying levels making it difficult to use trolley or mechanical aid. Location of storage area and distance material to be carried. Small narrow loading bays; tight corners and restricted space that will impact on the ability to use a powered mechanical aid during unloading and movement on site. Use EPJ for movement of sheets on site. Use a mechanical aid such as vacuum plasterboard lifter. Use elevated work platform (EWP) with plasterboard attachment. Use well designed sheet trolley. Use a sheet lifter and ceiling prop for ceiling work. includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids, trolleys and hand tools. Multi-skilling of work teams. Planning – mixing up the work between walls, ceilings and finishing tasks (requires multi skilling). Team lifting. Competency training to workers about hazardous manual tasks including: plasterboard handling and installation process safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing procedures. Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) Finishing trades Misc. e.g. shower bathroom Carrying material from loading bay/ storage area to the units and fixtures that are to manually handle. Use pre-fabricated craned into place. Mechanical aids for unloading off trucks or loading bays. Trolleys and strapping to ensure smooth movement of the material. PC to liaise with contractor to ensure materials are placed close to work area and is evenly distributed. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery
fixtures, office partitions and fit out. fixing location. Positioning fixture for installation. Fixing item into place (i.e. use of power tools). Awkward postures from overreaching, bending and twisting. Distance material to be carried. Tight or confined spaces Vibration, weight and design of hand/power tools. Use hoist or pneumatic lifting equipment to move material from one level to another or into position. Use prefabricated components that reduce weight or the need for on-site fabrication or multiple component fixing. Use integrated design methods to reduce overall number of installations. Use lighter materials and fixing components. Use temporary bracing and props to secure material whilst fixing. accommodates for extended shifts manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids, trolleys and hand Multi-skilling of work teams. Planning – mixing up the work between walls, ceilings and finishing tasks (requires multi skilling). Team lifting. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks including: materials handling and installation process safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools team lifing procedures. Construction cycle phases Activity Tasks with risk of MSD Sources of risk in addition to the risks detailed in the Manual tasks risk register Control examples Substitution, isolation and engineering Adminstrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) External works Paving Manually carrying pavers. Laying pavers on the ground. Using a to move Pavers laid at ground height. Large area to be paved. Pavers difficult to grasp and handling the pavers requires gripping force through Substitute paving for other surface/flooring material that is less physically labour intensive (i.e. concrete). Use an automated paving machine. Use mechanical aids for unloading off trucks or loading bays. PC to liaise with contractor to ensure materials are placed close to work area and is evenly distributed. Work scheduling so it: includes task variety includes appropriate breaks, rest and recovery accommodates for extended shifts
cement or pavers. Spreading foundation material. Mixing cement or bonding material. Sweeping finishing sand. the hands, wrists and forearms. Repetitive handling and laying of the pavers. Pavers accessed from a stack below knee height to mid-thigh. Sub-trade specialisation - no multi skilling or rotation to other tasks. No shade. Use hoist or pneumatic lifting equipment to move material from one level to another or into position. Use trolleys and strapping to ensure smooth movement of the material. Use mechanical aid to spread and compact foundation material. Use concrete mixers instead of hand mixers. Use mechanical sand sweeper. manages peaks in the workload (e.g. enough staff working, rotation to other tasks). Regular maintenance of mechanical aids. of work teams. Competency based training to workers about hazardous manual tasks including: materials handling and installation process safe system of work use of mechanical aids and appropriate hand tools.