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Manual Handling Risk Assessment for
MOVING FURNITURE
Activity
Potential
Hazards
Risk
Rating
Control Measures
Responsibility
Standing between
furniture to reach and
move other pieces of
furniture
Upper trunk strain Medium Allow as much space as possible. Move
furniture by sliding out of the way as much
as possible to allow free movement to
access furniture that is required to be
moved.
Provide instruction, training in the correct
lifting methods to enable the task to be
undertaken without the use of excessive
force.
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
Cleaner to rotate duties as
necessary.
Lifting articles out of
the way to allow
furniture to be moved.
Lifting from waist to
above shoulders
Shoulder/Upper
trunk back strain
Medium Lifting above head height should be
avoided and items required to be moved
need to placed at an easy access height.
Use both hands where practical.
Provide instruction, training in the correct
lifting methods to enable the task to be
undertaken without the use of excessive
force.
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
Leaning over
desks/tables –
forward motion upper
trunk to lift articles
and clean surface
Lower back strain Medium Ensure adequate rest breaks are provided.
Rotate employees between tasks by
ensuring adequate manpower is available.
Cleaner to rotate duties as
necessary.
Pulling chairs back to
desks/tables
Back/arm
Medium Provide instruction, training in the correct
lifting methods to enable the task to be
undertaken without the use of excessive
force.
Supervisor and H&S Rep to
ensure training and assess
competency.
Grasping articles in
one hand whilst
moving furniture Busy
periods
Hand, thumb,
wrist and elbow
strain
One hand only.
Medium Ensure adequate rest breaks are provided.
Rotate employees between tasks by
ensuring adequate manpower is available.
Cleaner to rotate duties as
necessary.
May carry articles with
one hand, supporting
with the other hand
Wrist, arm strain
Medium Ensure adequate rest breaks are provided.
Rotate employees between tasks by
ensuring adequate manpower is available.
Cleaner to rotate duties as
necessary.