If it is not possible to eliminate the hazard, think about how you can change the task, process and work environment to make the work safer, or whether you need to review the work equipment.
Table 1 Examples of how work can be done differently
| Example of task | Problem | Safer practice |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing material from area where mechanical excavator could not access | Use of full wheelbarrows over uneven ground. | Use a powered mini-conveyor to load material directly into a dumper. |
| Installing trench blocks | Blocks difficult to handle due to the unit weight and size. | Specify lighter blocks with handholds. Case study: COH04 Trench blocks with handholds |
| Bricklaying | Repetitive constant task with bricks laid at various heights during the day. | Stack bricks and mortar on a platform at waist height. This allows more of the work to be done between waist and shoulder height. Case study: COH01 Reduce bending to materials Case study: COH02 Using mast climbers |
| Moving plasterboard | Plasterboard size leading to awkward postures. | Use a hoist to lift plasterboard to the right building floor. Panel trolley then used to take it to point of use. Use a smaller board size. A number of devices are available to help workers carry plasterboard manually. Case study: COH05 Reduce plasterboard manual handling |
| Keeping materials dry | Wet materials gain weight which makes them more difficult to handle. | Plan how to protect materials Case study: COH03 Keeping materials dry |
| Forming ceilings with sheet materials | Awkward postures while fixing. | Use a panel lifter. |
| Installing a beam in a basement to support the floor | The beam is heavy and a restricted space makes it difficult to manoeuvre. | Specify a stitch beam which is easier to handle because it is split lengthways into lighter sections that are assembled in the basement. |
| Tying rebar | Repetitive twisting action accompanied by poor posture. | Use an automated tying tool. |
Solutions that involve a gang of workers handling a material may appear attractive, eg when installing a structural beam or laying kerbs. However, it is unlikely that each worker will bear the load equally. Poor co-ordination of activity, or a trip, could mean that one individual takes more than their fair share, which increases the risk of serious injury.
A range of equipment is available to make tasks easier and reduce the risk of injury. This includes trolleys, pallet trucks, automatic and vacuum powered handling devices. If you are unfamiliar with the equipment it is good practice to:
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