Construction is a labour intensive industry and involves a range of hazardous manual tasks (HMTs) which can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) / body stressing injuries.
Common hazardous manual tasks in construction
Body stressing injuries are the most common injury claims in the construction industry in South Australia. An analysis of these compensation claims revealed commonly occur from the following hazardous manual tasks:
Lifting and carrying heavy or awkward/bulky materials | Handling pallets, trusses, beams, sheeting, conduits, concrete blocks during demolition work, scaffold erection or dismantling, truck loading or unloading |
Repetitive tasks over long duration | Shovelling, bricklaying, digging, hammering, nailing and trenching |
Working in a constrained or awkward position | Working in tight or cramped spaces, overhead or low-level tasks, prolonged bending or kneeling on hard floor |
Using power tools | Drills, chainsaws, jackhammers, compactors, grinders |
Hazardous manual tasks are often seen as part of construction work and can’t always be eliminated - but it can be reduced.
Better planning, using the right tools & equipment and having safe systems of work can help protect workers, prevent injuries, save time, and reduce costs.
Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice provides practical guidance on how to manage risks associated with hazardous manual tasks and assist duty holders to achieve compliance under WHS Act and Regulations.
SafeWork SA’s Hazardous Manual Tasks webpage provides a step-by-step guidance to helps you identify, assess, control MSD risks associated with HMTs.
Several tools and guidance materials are also available to help you through this process.
Navigating HMT construction webpage
- Handling Sheet Materials
- Handling Timber Beams
- Formwork
- Steel Fixing
- Shovelling
- Pushing wheelbarrows
- Concrete pouring
Managing MSD risks: This section provides an overview of the risk management process and an example risk assessment, control measure and safe work procedure.
Task specific guidance: This HMT series section provides guidance of practical controls to reduce sprains and strains associated with the following hazardous manual tasks:
Additional resources: This section provides a reference document for Hazardous Manual Tasks risk register, HMT checklist and HMTs example control measures.