The first step towards safeguarding your workers involves understanding the specific risks associated with your manufacturing tasks. Analysing and evaluating these hazardous manual tasks helps in identifying potential injury risks within your business. Employ Health uses data to inform an evidence-based approach to developing a comprehensive risk management process in manufacturing workplaces.

What Is A Manufacturing-Specific ManTRA?

A Manufacturing-Specific Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA) is a customised tool designed to assess musculoskeletal risk factors associated with manual tasks. It considers the frequency, duration, and nature of manual tasks, enabling accurate assessment of risk levels and identification of appropriate control measures of tasks in the manufacturing industry.

The ManTRA Process for Manufacturing Workers

In a manufacturing environment, the ManTRA process includes:

  • An Employ Health workplace health physiotherapist with expertise in manufacturing-related health environments.

  • Manufacturing workers who regularly perform the manual tasks.

  • Management personnel overseeing hazardous manual tasks in the manufacturing setting.

This team evaluates the selected tasks, examining key task characteristics (cycle time, force, speed, awkwardness, and vibration) across different body regions. This collaborative approach ensures a thorough assessment of each risk factor in line with advisory standards.

Through this assessment, suitable risk control measures are recommended to effectively manage risks specific to the manufacturing sector.

Complementing ManTRA with PErforM in Manufacturing

Manufacturing facilities can enhance the effectiveness of ManTRA by also utilising the PErforM tool (Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks). This tool underlines the importance of employee involvement in the task assessment process, fostering an inclusive and comprehensive risk analysis.

Benefits for Manufacturing Businesses and Workers

Compliance with WHS Regulations:

Using ManTRA assists manufacturing businesses meet WHS obligations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to risk management.

Learning Safe Work Practices:

Participation in the ManTRA process enhances understanding of risk management among staff, promoting safer work practices in manufacturing.

Reducing Injury Risks:

Effective management of manual task risks in manufacturing reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries, such as strains and sprains.

Improving Workplace Culture:

Implementing ManTRA and PErforM can positively influence health and safety culture, reducing risks in various manufacturing operations.

Reducing Sprain & Strain Claims:

Adoption of ManTRA in manufacturing has been demonstrated to significantly decrease related injury claims.

When Is a Manufacturing-Specific ManTRA Required?

A ManTRA is highly recommended in manufacturing environments where manual handling risks are identified. This process will usually include worker consultations and safety representative input, along with reviewing injury data to pinpoint high-risk tasks.

Why Select Employ Health for Manufacturing ManTRAs?

Employ Health’s physiotherapists bring extensive manufacturing industry experience along with a detailed understanding of the challenges of manual tasks in this category. Our expertise in applying ManTRA and PErforM ensures a comprehensive understanding of risk management, aligned with the Hierarchy of Controls and the Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.

Other Services for Manufacturing Workers

  1. Tailored Job Dictionary Development

  2. Pre-Employment Medical Assessments

  3. Manufacturing-Specific Ergonomic Assessments

  4. Workstation Ergonomics Analysis

  5. Preventative Physiotherapy (Prehab) Programs

  6. Early Intervention Physiotherapy Services

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