Course Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to shift loads safely using manual handling methods. Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations concerning the manual handling and movement of loads.
It includes assessing the risks associated with relocating the load, planning the relocation process and carrying out the relocation in accordance with the plan.
Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess risks associated with relocating the load
- Products, goods or materials to be relocated are identified and assessed to determine appropriate relocation method
- Storage locations are determined and potential routes to be followed are identified
- Effect of load relocation on original load base is predicted
- Points of balance are estimated
- Required clearances are compared to available space and adjustments are made to moving loads to reflect required clearance
- Effects of moving contents, which may be loose, liquid, dangerous or hazardous, are considered
- Risks in potential routes are considered
- Risks to self are identified arising from the required lifting, load carrying, set down or movement of the goods
- Manual handling procedures for lifting, lowering and carrying, pushing and pulling are identified
- Team lifting processes are considered when moving loads
- Appropriate personal protective equipment is determined
- Size to weight ratio of items to be manually handled are identified
2. Plan load relocation
- Relocation of the load is planned, consistent with the code of practice for manual handling and in accordance with the risk assessment
- Process for relocating load is proposed including predicting and planning for potential difficulties
- Proposed process is checked for compliance with code of practice and workplace procedures
3. Relocate load
- Actions for lifting, lowering and carrying, pulling and pushing a load are in accordance with workplace procedures and WHS/OHS requirements
- Applications appropriate for team relocation of load are identified
- Team lifting tasks are coordinated
- Planned process and route are followed
- Relocated materials are set down without damage to goods, personnel or equipment and are checked for stability
- Relocation is checked to see it meets work requirements and variance/s are reported