Victorian Consolidated Regulations

8 Reg. 9.2.1: S.R. No. 127/2000 as amended by S.R. No. 96/2005. - SECT 3.1.2.

Control of risk

3.1.2. Control of risk



(1) An employer must ensure that the risk of a musculoskeletal disorder
associated with a hazardous manual handling task affecting an employee is
eliminated so far as is reasonably practicable.

Note Act compliance-section 21 (see regulation 1.1.7).



(2) If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk of a
musculoskeletal disorder associated with a hazardous manual handling task
affecting an employee, an employer must reduce that risk so far as is
reasonably practicable by-

   (a)  altering-

   (i)  the workplace layout; or

   (ii) the workplace environment, including heat, cold and vibration, where
        the task involving manual handling is undertaken; or

   (iii) the systems of work used to undertake the task; or

   (b)  changing the objects used in the task involving manual handling; or

   (c)  using mechanical aids; or

   (d)  any combination of paragraphs (a) to (c).

Notes 1. Act compliance-section 21 (see regulation 1.1.7). 2. Under sections
27 to 30 of the Act, designers of plant, buildings or structures (or parts of
buildings or structures) and manufacturers and suppliers of plant or
substances must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant,
substance, building or structure (or part) is designed, manufactured or
supplied (as the case may be) to be safe and without risks to health,
including the risk of musculoskeletal disorder.

(3) If it is not reasonably practicable for an employer to reduce the risk of
a musculoskeletal disorder associated with a hazardous manual handling task in
accordance with subregulation (2), the employer may control that risk by the
use of information, instruction or training.

Notes 1. Act compliance-section 21 (see regulation 1.1.7). 2. An employer may
only rely solely or primarily on the use of information, instruction or
training to control a risk if none of the measures set out in subregulation
(2) is reasonably practicable.

(4) Without affecting the generality of subregulations (1), (2) and (3), an
employer, when determining any measure to control any risk of musculoskeletal
disorder, must address the following factors-

   (a)  postures; and

   (b)  movements; and

   (c)  forces; and

   (d)  duration and frequency of the task; and

   (e)  environmental conditions including heat, cold and vibration that act
        directly on a person undertaking the task.

Notes 1. Act compliance-section 21 (see regulation 1.1.7). 2. Sections 35 and
36 of the Act set out the duty of the employer to consult with employees,
including involving the health and safety representative (if any). (See also
regulation 2.1.5).