Doing It Right 7 – Material Handling Alert

Amongst its many other tasks, WorkSafe Victoria regularly reviews the workers’ compensation claims details related to sprains and strains injuries within the construction industry. Selected claims are followed up by WorkSafe inspectors to find out what the employer has done to prevent a recurrence of these types of injuries, and, if applicable, to take the appropriate action to require the employer to comply with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety (Manual Handling) Regulations 2000.

One such claim involved a worker employed by an earthmoving company who had injured his back whilst attempting to tip a 205 litre drum of oil onto its end so that a pump could be inserted. Apart from his obvious pain and discomfit, this incident resulted in 15 weeks off work and $7,500 in medical costs. On following up this claim, the WorkSafe inspector found that, instead of treating the injury as “just one of those things”, the company had made sure it would never happen again. Previously the three grades of oil used in the company’s yard were supplied in 205 litre drums that were moved, one by one, from the flammable goods store using a forklift. The work practice was to lay the drum down on its side, supporting it between the forklift’s tynes. This meant each drum was tipped over at the store and righted at the maintenance yard. The usual method used at the yard was for two men to grab one end of the drum and lift up until it tipped onto its end.

The company has now eliminated the manual handling effort altogether. The three grades of oil are now purchased in 1,000 litre bulk containers (as illustrated). These are transported by forklift from the store to the yard. The bulk containers are then placed on stands and pumps fitted so that oil can be transferred by hose directly to the earthmoving equipments’ differentials, gearboxes, etc.

So not only was the immediate cause of the injury dealt with, but the overall risks associated with the work were reduced and the process has become more efficient. Construction Hazard Solutions are published by the Construction Safety Circulation Service in the interests of improving the health and safety standards of the construction industry.

This document may be freely copied. The Construction Safety Circulation Service is an initiative of WorkSafe Victoria.

WorkSafe Victoria is a division of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

To find out more, visit www.workcover.vic.gov.au/construction