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Why manual handling training doesn’t work: an air freight case study
Conference presentation   Open access

Why manual handling training doesn’t work: an air freight case study

Natassia Goode, Paul M Salmon, M G Lenne and P Hillard
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
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Abstract

Transportation and Freight Services Public Health and Health Services Air Freight workplace health and safety manual handling risk management
Background: Injuries resulting from manual handling tasks represent an on-going problem for many industries. In Australia, muscular stress due to manual handling is the most common cause of serious workers compensation claims (2010-11 data; Safe Work Australia, 2013). Organisations commonly use health and safety information and training to mitigate the risks posed by manual handling tasks in the workplace. However, the evidence indicates that such training is largely ineffective in reducing back pain and back injury (Clemes et al., 2009). Aims: This study applied a systems theory-based approach, Rasmussen's Risk Management Framework, to investigate the factors infl uencing safety during manual handling activities in an air freight handling organisation. Methods: The study was conducted at an Australian air freight company. Observations of manual handling activities, cognitive decision method interviews with workers (n = 27) and interviews with managers (n = 35) were used to gather information about three manual handling activities. Hierarchical task analysis and thematic analysis were then used to identify potential risk factors and performance shaping factors across the levels of Rasmussen's framework. Research findings: The analysis showed that there is complex system of factors impacting on safety during manual handling activities in this context, most of which are outside of the individual worker's control. In particular, issues were identified with: staff levels, the workspace layout, the labelling of packaging, lack of rotation through tasks, housekeeping, traffic management practices, and time pressure due to manager's KPIs. The findings demonstrate why manual handling training does not work: policy-orientated, rather than worker-orientated, changes are required to prevent future manual handling injuries.

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