Manual Handling
Manual handling — lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining objects or animals — is a leading cause of injury on dairy farms. Dairy workers compensation data shows around one in five claims involving more than five days off work are body-stress injuries (musculoskeletal disorders).
These injuries cause real suffering, economic loss for the farm, higher workers compensation premiums, and a poorer employment reputation for the industry.
What makes a task hazardous
A manual task is more likely to cause harm when it involves awkward or sustained postures, high, sudden or repeated forces, repetitive movements, or exposure to vibration. The resulting musculoskeletal disorders include back injuries, sprains and strains, joint and bone injuries, nerve compression, hernias and chronic pain.
Manage the risk
The most effective control is good work design — redesigning the task so the hazard is reduced at the source. That can mean mechanical aids and better layouts, lighter loads and shorter reaches, rotating tasks to limit repetition, and training people in safe technique. Where injuries do occur, the Workers compensation section explains the process.
The Farm Safety Manual – Manual Handling chapter and step-by-step guide support this page.
Common questions
What is manual handling
Any activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining objects or animals.
Why is manual handling a problem on dairy farms?
It is a leading cause of injury — around one in five dairy workers compensation claims with more than five days off work are body-stress (musculoskeletal) injuries.
What makes a manual task hazardous?
Awkward or sustained postures, high, sudden or repeated forces, repetitive movements, and exposure to vibration.
How can manual-handling injuries be prevented
Mainly through good work design — mechanical aids, lighter loads, better layouts, task rotation, and training in safe technique.