Evaluation in industry of a draft code of practice for manual handling

• Published in: Applied ergonomics Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 293 - 300
• Main Authors: Ashby, Liz, Tappin, David, Bentley, Tim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2004; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Applied physiology; Back Injuries - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Code of practice; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Hazard assessment; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Lifting; Manual handling; Materials handling; Medical sciences; New Zealand; Occupational Health; Occupational safety; Risk assessment; Task Performance and Analysis; New Zealand; Oceania; Code of practice; Hazard assessment; Manual handling; Human; Industry; Evaluation; Ergonomics; Draft document; Manual activity; Recommendation; Handling
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2003.11.005

This paper reports findings from a study which evaluated the draft New Zealand Code of Practice for Manual Handling. The evaluation assessed the ease of use, applicability and validity of the Code and in particular the associated manual handling hazard assessment tools, within New Zealand industry. The Code was studied in a sample of eight companies from four sectors of industry. Subjective feedback and objective findings indicated that the Code was useful, applicable and informative. The manual handling hazard assessment tools incorporated in the Code could be adequately applied by most users, with risk assessment outcomes largely consistent with the findings of researchers using more specific ergonomics methodologies. However, some changes were recommended to the risk assessment tools to improve usability and validity. The evaluation concluded that both the Code and the tools within it would benefit from simplification, improved typography and layout, and industry-specific information on manual handling hazards.