Introduction

Manual handling involves the use of the human body to move loads from one place to another, principally by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. Manual handling becomes a work safety issue where heavy weights cause injuries, most often to the back. Most factories, manufacturing plants and distribution systems still require manual handling tasks to be performed by their workers. Accordingly, strains resulting from manual handling are the most common type of workplace injury.

When performed incorrectly, repeatedly or excessively, carrying heavy loads may expose employees to physical risk factors. These factors can manifest themselves in a variety of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) such as:

  • Sprains and strains of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
  • Back injuries including damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, spinal discs, nerves, joints and bones.
  • Joint and bone injuries or degeneration, including injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, hands and feet.
  • Nerve injuries or compression (for example carpal tunnel syndrome).
  • Muscular and vascular disorders as a result of hand arm vibration.
  • Soft tissue injuries such as hernias.
  • Chronic pain (pain that lasts longer than three months).
  • Acute pain (pain that lasts less than three months).

Employers have a duty to protect employees from injury during manual handling activities. Safe Work Australia recommends that a risk assessment should be carried out for any activity likely to be hazardous. These will help identify:

  • Postures, movements and forces that pose a risk and at what point they may become dangerous.
  • Why they are happening and what needs to done for them to be fixed.

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Experts in manual handling may be required for a range of reasons including:

  • To evaluate ergonomics in the workplace.
  • To assess workplace environments where the alleged injury occurred to establish issues of fact.
  • To assess injuries.

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

  • The need for a view or inspection of a location
  • The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
  • Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
  • Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

A sample of our experts in Ergonomics - Manual handling

Below are short profiles of a few experts with expertise in this field. Please contact our office to discuss your specific requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget. Expert Experts are experts in finding the right expert for your needs and you pay no more to use Expert Experts than if you searched and found the expert yourself.

  • #ID7857

Work health safety, sport safety, & risk management consultant expert

ID7857 is an expert in risk management consulting, with extensive qualifications and experience in the field of ergonomics. He has worked as a specialist in safety for over 15 years, including in the manufacturing, sports and transport industries.


  • #ID7335

Ergonomist - Work Health and Safety Specialist expert

ID7335 has over 20 years’ experience and currently works as a Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E) consultant advising companies on their systems of work. ID7335 has an extensive background in a number of industries, including healthcare and has frequently advised local health services advising on their safe systems of work including major project review of injuries, OHS advisory and risk management process for clinical aggression and harassment injuries.


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