In the aftermath of a hazardous manual task injury, workers need to take appropriate steps, especially if it involves slips, trips, falls, or a sprain or strain at their workplace.
WorkCover Queensland underscores that sprain and strain injuries, also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are the most prevalent work-related injuries, constituting almost two-thirds of all work injuries. These injuries, often resulting in disability and permanence, are triggered by hazardous manual tasks (HMT) like lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling, and slips, trips, falls at the same level (STFAL). The average workers' compensation claim cost for these injuries exceeds $13,000. However, the broader cost to businesses, families, and the community (including time lost, nursing, recruitment costs, lost productivity, and re-training) for each claim surpasses $55,000.
It's crucial to recognize that these injuries are preventable. After experiencing a sprain or strain injury, workers should prioritize determining the cause, implementing changes to prevent further injuries, and offering support for rehabilitation and return to work. Resolving these issues not only benefits the affected worker but also leads to reduced risk and absenteeism, improved productivity, staff morale, and staff retention for the business.
For a comprehensive assessment of sprains and strains and effective injury management, businesses can utilize the information and resources provided below.
Manual task injury
| What can an employer do? | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Check | Hazardous manual task systems self-assessment tool (PDF, 0.22 MB) | Check your existing work processes and systems using this simple tool. The traffic light checklist will highlight what you are currently doing well and what gaps you have. |
| Identifying and assessing manual tasks | Check if the task that injured your worker is a HMT and whether it involved any risk factors that need to be controlled. | |
| Manual tasks risk management worksheet (PDF, 0.23 MB) | Investigate sprain and strain injuries and assess HMT with this simple worksheet. | |
| Tips for hazardous manual task training (DOCX, 0.86 MB) | Information to include in HMT training for your workers. | |
| Lifting technique training is it effective? | Bending your knees and stretching are not adequate training methods and do not prevent sprain or strain injuries. Read more about this and learn what your workplace should be doing. | |
| Systems thinking films | Systems thinking helps you to think about the big picture when you identify all the issues related to a HMT. | |
| Improving manual risk controls after musculoskeletal disorders | Information to help large employers improve the effectiveness of their systems for incident reviews to prevent MSDs. | |
| Chat | Manual tasks risk management worksheet (PDF, 0.23 MB) | Consult with workers on sprain and strain injuries and assess HMT's with this worksheet. |
| Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) | PErforM is a simple manual task risk management program based on worker participation to reduce sprain and strain injuries. | |
| Change | Hazardous manual tasks resources | Download resources to prevent HMT including films, webinars and case studies. |
| Hazardous manual task systems self- assessment tool (PDF, 0.22 MB) | Modify or develop procedures to find and fix other sprain and strain risks on an ongoing basis. |
Slips, trips and falls injury
| What can an employer do? | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Check | Slips, trips and falls at level systems self-assessment tool (PDF, 0.19 MB) | Check how potential slip, trips or falls in the work area are handled using this simple tool. The traffic light checklist will highlight what you are currently doing well and what gaps you have. |
| Slips, trips and falls risk management | Check for the causes of the injury and what needs to be fixed to prevent further injuries. | |
| Slips, trips and falls information | Manage the risk of falls including floor surfaces, footwear and housekeeping. | |
| Slips, trips and falls at level incident worksheet (PDF, 0.1 MB) | Investigate and assess STFAL with this simple worksheet. | |
| Safe design and use of stairs | Check the risks of falls on stairs and steps at your workplace. | |
| Systems thinking films | Systems thinking helps you to think about the big picture when you identify all the issues related to a slip, trip and fall injury. | |
| Chat | Work health and safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.49 MB) | Consult with workers to identify where STFAL problems are in the workplace and consider their ideas when implementing solutions. |
| Change | Slips, trips and falls information | 'Watch your step' or 'walk don't run' do not fix the cause of the problem. Read more about this and learn what your workplace should be doing. |
| Slips, trips and falls at level incident worksheet (PDF, 0.1 MB) | Modify or develop procedures to find and fix other STFAL problems on an ongoing basis. | |
| Safe design and use of stairs | Eliminate the risk of falls on stairs and steps at your workplace. |