Manual handling policy template
A free, ready-to-edit manual handling policy template for Australian workplaces. Set out how your business identifies hazardous manual tasks, assesses the risk and applies the hierarchy of controls to prevent musculoskeletal injuries — and meet your WHS duties. No signup required.
Manual handling policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This manual handling policy template reflects Australian model work health and safety (WHS) requirements at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your workplace and the specific manual tasks in it. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your workplace needs a manual handling policy
Hazardous manual tasks are one of the leading causes of work-related injury in Australia, driving a large share of workers’ compensation claims for back injuries, sprains, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Under model work health and safety law, employers (PCBUs) must manage the risks of hazardous manual tasks so far as is reasonably practicable.
A documented manual handling policy is how you meet that duty in practice. It defines what counts as hazardous manual handling, sets out how tasks are identified, assessed and controlled using the hierarchy of controls, and makes everyone’s responsibilities clear — before an injury occurs. It also gives workers a path to report concerns and early signs of strain.
The policy works alongside your broader WHS policy and hazard & risk policy, and pairs with controls like personal protective equipment from your PPE policy. Store the policy and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood it.
What a manual handling policy should cover
The essentials of managing hazardous manual tasks under WHS
Hazardous manual tasks
Lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining loads, people and equipment.
Risk factors
High or repetitive force, awkward or sustained postures, vibration and long duration.
Risk assessment
Identifying and rating manual task risks, often with a simple risk matrix.
Hierarchy of controls
Eliminate the task first, then substitute, isolate, use engineering and admin controls, then PPE.
Responsibilities
What the business, managers and workers must each do to handle loads safely.
Injury prevention
Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and early reporting of discomfort or strain.
What's included in this template
A complete framework for safe manual handling
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to — staff, management, contractors and visitors.
Manual handling defined
What counts as a manual task and when it becomes hazardous under WHS law.
Risk factors
Force, posture, movement, duration, vibration and environmental conditions.
Risk assessment
How to identify, assess and prioritise manual task hazards.
Hierarchy of controls
Applying control measures in order, from elimination to PPE.
Safe work procedures
Practical guidance for common lifting, carrying and handling tasks.
Mechanical aids
Using trolleys, hoists, conveyors and lifting equipment to reduce strain.
Training requirements
Induction and refresher training so workers can handle loads safely.
Reporting & responsibilities
Raising hazards and early symptoms, plus employer and worker duties.
Review & acknowledgement
Monitoring controls, reviewing the policy and recording employee sign-off.
Managing manual handling risk under WHS
A consistent, documented approach protects your team and your business
Apply the hierarchy of controls
Don’t jump straight to telling workers to “lift correctly”. WHS law expects you to first eliminate hazardous manual tasks where reasonably practicable, then substitute, isolate or re-engineer them (for example, mechanical aids and workstation redesign), then use administrative controls and training — with PPE as the last line. Document the controls you chose and why.
There's no single legal weight limit
Australian WHS law does not set a maximum weight a person can lift. Risk depends on the load, the posture, how often and how far it is moved, grip, and the individual worker — so each hazardous task is assessed on its own. Use a risk assessment rather than relying on a fixed number.
The risk management steps
Identify
Find hazardous manual tasks — repetitive movements, awkward postures, high or sustained force.
Assess
Rate the risk using a matrix, considering force, posture, movement and duration.
Control
Apply the hierarchy of controls — eliminate, substitute, engineer, then admin and PPE.
Review
Check controls are working, consult workers and update after incidents or changes.
Consultation is a legal requirement: involve workers and health and safety representatives when identifying tasks and choosing controls — they often know the practical risks best. Capture these consultations and acknowledgements in your digital HR records.
Where a manual handling injury does occur, manage the worker’s recovery through a structured return-to-work process and your return-to-work policy. For full detail, follow the Safe Work Australia Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice, which sets out how to identify, assess and control these risks.
Who should use this template?
Essential for any Australian business with physical or repetitive tasks
Especially important for managers and supervisors, who plan rosters and tasks and are the first point of contact when a worker reports strain or a hazard.
Compliance resources
Official Australian guidance on hazardous manual tasks.
Manage your policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — all in one place.
Related guides
Put your manual handling policy into practice
Related templates
Build out your safety & compliance framework
Manual handling policy FAQ
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A manual handling policy sets out how a business manages the risks of hazardous manual tasks — lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining loads, people and equipment. It explains how those tasks are identified, assessed and controlled, defines employer and worker responsibilities, and aims to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in line with WHS duties.
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Manual handling (or a “manual task”) is any activity requiring a person to use physical force to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, hold, restrain or otherwise move, support or restrain a load. A load can be an object, a person or an animal. It becomes a hazardous manual task when it involves risk factors such as high or repetitive force, awkward or sustained postures, repetitive movement, long duration or vibration.
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There is no single legal weight limit under Australian WHS law. The risk depends on the load’s weight, size and grip, the lifting posture, how often and how far it is moved, the work environment and the individual worker. Instead of a fixed number, you assess each hazardous manual task and apply controls to reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.