The provision of training plays a role in protecting workers from harm, but it should not be the first line of defence when addressing Hazardous Manual Tasks.
The law states that a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must follow a risk management approach to control the risk of MSDs.
PCBUs must use the highest level of control measures in the Hierarchy of Control, so far as reasonably practicable (Elimination, Isolation, Substitution and/or Engineering controls). Administrative control measures (information, training, procedures etc.) should only be used if higher orders of control are not reasonably practicable or complement existing control measures in place and further minimise the risk.
This is a legislative requirement under Regulation 60 and part 3.1 of the Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 2012.
'How to lift' training
‘How to lift’ training does not prevent musculoskeletal disorders
A common approach taken by employers is to provide workers with generic ‘how to lift‘ type training (e.g. bend your knees, keep your back straight) at the commencement of their employment and on an ongoing basis. They then rely on workers following these ‘safe’ techniques or principles as a way to protect them from harm. This type of training is often used as the only control measure.
When this approach is taken, workers are still at risk of injury. Providing ‘how to lift’ training does not control the actual source of risk, and research evidence has demonstrated that providing ‘how to lift’ training is not effective in reducing injury risks.
The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) national working group has developed a national position on ‘how to lift’ training (HTL training).
The aim of the paper is to reduce reliance on HTL training as a means of controlling hazardous manual task related hazards, and to inform business and industry of how hazardous manual tasks should be managed.
Why 'how to lift' training is ineffective?
Research shows that HTL training is not effective in preventing or minimising the risk of injuries from hazardous manual tasks.
HTL training is not effective because risk factors causing the problem are not changed.
Even if workers apply HTL training (for example "safe lifting" techniques), they may still be exposed to a serious risk of injury. Therefore, employers/PCBUs are not meeting their risk management duties for managing hazardous manual tasks.
By taking this approach a business is not meeting its risk management duties.
Instead, employers and/or PCBUs should use the hierarchy of control measures when managing risks (for example eliminate, isolate, substitute, apply engineering controls). Refer to Regulation 60 and part 3.1 of the Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 2012.
Any training provided should support these higher-level control measures and systems of work implemented.
Suitable and adequate HMT training
The Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2020 – Section 4.10 outlines that training should cover:
- how to do the work safely – including using relevant mechanical aids, tools, equipment and safe work procedures
- how to report problems or maintenance issues, for example, reporting a faulty mechanical aid.
- the risk management of hazardous manual task in the workplace:
- identifying the source of HMT
- assessing HMT risk factors, such as force, postures, repetition, duration, environmental and psychosocial risks
- control measures used to minimise the risk of injury.
Note: Training should be delivered by a competent person and uses a language and examples that are understood by all workers.
Use the training checklist to help ensure workers receive appropriate training on hazardous manual tasks.
Who should training be provided to?
Training should be provided to:
- workers required to carry out, schedule, supervise or manage hazardous manual tasks
- in-house designers, engineers and anybody responsible for the selection, purchase and maintenance of plant, structures and/or the design and organisation of the job/task
- health and safety representatives.
When should training be provided?
Training should be provided for workers and contractors when they first start at a workplace and on an ongoing basis.
Training should happen when:
- starting a new job or role
- changing in working conditions, processes or equipment such as automation or new devices
- risk remains after higher order controls are put in place
- introducing new safety measures
- legislation changes
When should training be reviewed?
Training should be reviewed on a regular basis and when there is change to:
- work processes
- plant or equipment
- implementation of new control measures
- relevant legislation
- reported MSD incident
- other issues that may impact on the way the task is performed
What records should be kept?
PCBUs should keep clear records of all hazardous manual tasks training and information given to workers. The records can include information such as the date of the session, the topics covered, and the name and signature of the trainer and each of the workers and contractors who attended the session.
