You’re here because you already know you need to do a manual handling risk assessment. Maybe someone’s been injured at work. Maybe you’re trying to prevent it. Or maybe you’re trying to meet your legal obligations under WHS. Either way, you’re in the right place.
If you’ve never done a risk assessment before—don’t worry. We’ll break it down step-by-step, using plain language, real examples, and a simple process you can follow.
Training and Assessment Delivered on Behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909
Why Risk Assessments Matter
Manual handling is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in Australia. Most people think of one-off accidents, but the reality is that injuries often happen slowly—one awkward lift, one repeated reach, one too-heavy push at a time.
A manual handling risk assessment helps you:
- Understand the tasks that might cause harm
- Judge how serious that harm could be
- Put strategies in place to reduce or remove the risk
- Meet your responsibilities under Work Health and Safety (WHS) law
Safe Work Australia states clearly that risk management is not optional. It’s a legal duty for both employers and workers under the Model WHS Act and Regulations.
Step-by-Step: How to Conduct a Manual Handling Risk Assessment
1. Identify the Manual Task
Start by observing the task or activity. What is the person doing? Are they lifting boxes? Reaching overhead? Moving patients or equipment?
Watch the task from start to finish and take notes. The goal is to understand exactly what’s being done—not what’s supposed to happen, but what actually happens in practice.
2. Spot the Hazards
Look for anything that might cause physical strain or injury. These could include:
- Awkward postures (bending, twisting, reaching)
- Heavy or unstable loads
- Repetitive movements
- Sudden or high-force actions (like catching a falling object)
- Tasks done in tight, poorly set-up spaces
The Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice offers detailed guidance here.
3. Assess the Risk
Now ask two questions:
- How likely is it that someone will get hurt doing this task?
- How bad would the injury be if it happened?
This is called a risk matrix—a simple tool used to rate risk. Here’s a basic version:
Likelihood: Rare, Unlikely, Possible, Likely, Almost Certain
Consequence: Minor (small strain), Moderate (time off), Major (long-term injury), Critical (permanent disability)
For example, lifting a light box once might be “Possible/Minor” (low risk), but manually lifting a patient without assistance could be “Likely/Major” (high risk).
4. Control the Risk
This is where the Hierarchy of Controls comes in. It’s a simple way to rank how effective your safety measures are:
- Eliminate – Can you remove the task completely?
- Substitute – Can you change the task or load to make it safer? (e.g., use smaller containers)
- Engineering Controls – Use equipment like hoists, trolleys, or adjustable benches
- Administrative Controls – Implement training, safe work procedures, shift rotation, or rest breaks
- PPE – Gloves, belts, braces (used only as backup—not your first line of defence)
The higher up the list, the better. PPE alone is the weakest form of protection.
5. Document It
Write it all down. Good documentation should include:
- What task was assessed
- The hazards and risks you identified
- What you’re doing to control those risks
- Who’s responsible for putting changes in place
- When it will be reviewed
This is essential for compliance, especially in health and aged care industries.
6. Review and Monitor
Risk assessments aren’t “set and forget.” Things change—equipment, staff, procedures, environments. You should:
- Review the assessment regularly (at least yearly, or sooner if something changes)
- Update it when new hazards or risks are identified
- Keep staff informed and involved
Final Thoughts
Risk assessments aren’t red tape—they’re a way to protect yourself, your team, and your workplace. They help reduce injury, avoid costly time off work, and show that you take WHS seriously.
If this all feels like a lot, you’re not alone. Many people we train have never done a risk assessment before—and that’s okay. We include it in our training because we believe everyone should feel confident spotting and reducing risk.
Need Manual Handling Training?
We deliver HLTWHS005 – Conduct Manual Tasks Safely across Brisbane and SE QLD.
- Risk assessment made simple and practical
- Training tailored to your job and environment
- Online theory + 2-hour onsite practical session
- Friendly, experienced trainers who work with real businesses
📞 Request a quote or call (07) 3872 6777.
A safe workplace starts with smart decisions—and the right training.
