Manual Handling is "any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push. pull, carry, or otherwise move, hold or restrain any animate or inanimate object." (National Standard for Manual handling [NOHSC:1001 (1990)]).

Manual Handling Research has shown and identified the following occupational factors which contribute to soft tissue injury:

• physical heavy work;
• manual handling;
• sudden unexpected peak physical loads;
• frequent bending and/or twisting of the trunk;
• vibration;
• static work postures;
• prolonged sitting;
• repetitive actions; and
• constrained actions.

Further factors which contribute to soft tissue injury are:

• workplace design;
• work organisation; and
• slips, trips and falls.

The new approach to manual handling includes an ongoing team workplace commitment to:

• consultation;
• the design/redesign of workplaces, jobs and equipment;
• the application of ergonomic principles;
• training and education of all staff including;
• causes and prevention of soft tissue injury; and
• safe manual handling.

The foundations for an effective workplace soft tissue prevention program are:

• management commitment and support;
• employee consultation and participation;
• the application of ergonomics to resolve the problem; and
• evaluation and monitoring.