Managing Risks

ELMO

Charles Sturt University has an agreement with ELMO Learning Services for the provision of a web based OHS Online Training for staff through a specifically designed portal.

Online training is offered to provide you with information to assist you in minimising risks that may effect your health and safety. This training is generic in nature and is meant to be supplemented with specific job or task related training at an appropriate time to achieve a good learning outcome.

CSU is also required to ensure that it can provide evidence that such information, instruction or training has been undertaken and a required level of competency achieved. Each ELMO module requires a score of 80% or greater in the assessments. On obtaining a score of 80% or more a record is then created and transferred to your personal details in the Human Resources database. A score of less than 80% is a learning opportunity for you to review the module and to undertake the assessment again. Each new assessment uses different questions from the ELMO question bank.

The current modules available for this online training have been designed to include a safety induction, emergency management training and the manual handling program initiative and consists of the following modules. Whilst they can be completed in any order, the preferred sequence is below, as it appears on the ELMO page:

Introduction to Safety at CSU;
Manual Tasks;
Office Ergonomics;
Risk Management; and
Accident Investigation.
Fire and Emergency Procedures.

To access the service use this link http://elearn.com.au/csu/START.htm.

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Ergonomics is a discipline that involves fitting the job to the worker and not the worker to the job. It is the science of adapting workstations, tools, equipment and job practices to be compatible with the individual worker and thus helping the machine operator be more productive by allowing him/her to operate more efficiently, comfortably, and safely.

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Purpose
The purpose of a Manual Handling Program is provide a coordinated and structured approach to systematically identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with manual handling activities.

This page assists by providing links to all related material, together and accessible from this one webpage.

What is Manual Handling?
Manual handling is described by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's draft National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders from Manual Handling at Work as "any activity requiring a person to use any part of their muscular or skeletal system in their interactions with their work environment." Manual handling includes, but is not restricted to:
* lifting or lowering
* pushing or pulling
* holding or restraining
* carrying or otherwise handling
* throwing or rolling
* grasping or manipulating; and
* striking an object, with or without a tool.

Manual handling also describes tasks involving:
* repetitive actions, with or without force;
* sustained work postures; and
* exposure to whole body or hand-arm vibration

Everybody who works performs some form of manual handling, however not all manual handling tasks are hazardous. Manual handling involves more that just remembering to "bend your knees" when lifting heavy objects and affects more than just the back.

The term 'Ergonomics' is often associated with manual handling. Ergonomics is the interaction of people, equipment and the working environment and therefore involves designing or arranging workplaces, workstations, equipment or systems so that they fit the people who use them and reduce pain, fatigue and injury. Many risk control measures are based on ergonomic principles.

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Manual handling can lead to injury through the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is a term that describes injuries affecting the bones and soft tissue structure (other than organs) of the body that are caused by manual handling at work. Examples include sprains or strains of muscles or tendons; injuries to the back, joints, bones or nerves and abdominal hernias. Musculoskeletal disorders encompass injuries also known as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) or Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS).

An MSD may occur suddenly from a single act of overexertion, for example straining a back muscle whilst pushing a heavily laden trolley or straining a shoulder muscle whilst lifting a heavy object. More likely, however, is that an MSD will develop over time from minor strains and the gradual wear and tear of the muscular or skeletal systems. Because these minor strains and gradual wear and tear may not involve pain at the time the manual handling activity is carried out there is often the incorrect perception that these activities don't involve any risk.

There are a number of factors which by themselves or in combination increase the risk of a person developing a musculoskeletal disorder. These individual 'risk factors' include posture, force exerted, the repetition and speed of movements made, vibration, and the time taken to complete a task. All of these individual risk factors are in turn influenced by the design and set up of the workplace and individual workstations; the work environment; the characteristics and location of items and by how work is organised and the systems of work in place.

Legislation
The University has a legislative requirement to eliminate risks related to Manual Handling or if elimination of these risks is not possible, to control the risks of harm to the lowest practicable levels. In meeting this obligation the University requires that managers and supervisors; and those employees who design, manufacture or supply plant, premises, equipment or systems of work, identify, assess and eliminate (or control) the range of hazards and risks associated with manual handling at the University.

These staff have a responsibility to implement a manual handling program that uses the following program management framework as covered in CSU's 'Safety Management Guidelines':
provide for commitment, management structure and consultation with relevant employees;
plan approach, set standards and determine KPIs;