TOOL TYPE WORKSHEET
GEOGRAPHY ALL
LAST REVIEWED 08/02/14
SOURCE:
IRSST
MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
BENEFITS
Employers have a duty under the OHS laws to minimize ergonomics hazards in the workplace that can cause
musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). The manual handling of materials—that is, tasks that require workers to lift,
lower, push, pull, hold or carry materials—is a key source of MSIs. That’s why it’s important to identify those
manual handling tasks that pose the risk of MSIs so you can take appropriate steps to eliminate or minimize
that risk.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
Use this worksheet to identify problems associated with different manual handling situations. For each yes
answer, specify the situation, task or job concerned in detail. Make sure to assess those situations, tasks or
jobs to determine the steps you should take to address the risk that workers could develop MSIs or
otherwise get injured—and then implement those steps.
OTHER RESOURCES:
IRSST’s Planning Tool for Safe Manual Handling
Take 5 Steps to Protect Workers When Handling Materials Manually
Lifting Hazard Assessment Checklist
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MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
THERE ARE HANDLING JOBS, TASKS OR
SITUATIONS….
YES
NO
WHICH ONES?
…that workers say are more difficult or
problematic
…that workers complain about more than
others
…for which workers report back problems,
i.e., pain, fatigue, discomfort
…for which workers report shoulder
problems
…for which workers report problems in the
upper or lower limbs, i.e., wrists, elbows,
knees
…with a high worker turnover
…with loads that are more difficult to
transfer and whose handling requires knowhow or special techniques
…where one must think about how to go
about handling the load
…where all types of incidents occur, i.e.,
loads fall or catch on things
…that require two handlers, so adjustments
are required
…where load size varies a great deal
…for which experience is really helpful and
makes a big difference
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…for which ways of doing things vary a great
deal
…where circumstances change all the time
and are never the same
…for which it takes time before a worker no
longer needs help
…where the work will remain manual
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COMPLETED BY:____________________________________________ DATE:_________________________
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