ADOSH-SF Code of Practice 14.0 - Manual Handling and Ergonomics

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Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and
Health System Framework
(ADOSH-SF)
Code of Practice
CoP 14.0 – Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Version 4.0
July 2024

ADOSH-SF – Codes of Practice
CoP 14.0 - Manual Handling and Ergonomics - Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024 Page 2 of 10
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Training and Competency ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Requirements .................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 6
3.2 Planning and Assessment.................................................................................................................. 7
4. References ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
5. Document Amendment Record ................................................................................................................. 9

ADOSH-SF – Codes of Practice
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1. Introduction
(a) This Code of Practice (CoP) applies to all employers and places of business within the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi that have exposure to risk due to manual handling and work
environment ergonomic concerns that can cause or aggravate work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) or other related injuries and illnesses. Specific
requirements of this document do not replace any more stringent requirements set by
Federal or other Emirate regulatory authorities. If requirements of this document
conflict with requirements set by another regulatory authority, employers are required
to follow the more stringent requirement.
(b) Manual handing applies to any workplace activity requiring the use of force by a
person to grasp, manipulate, strike, throw, carry, move (lift, lower, push, pull), hold or
restrain an object, load or body part.
(c) The principal method of reducing risk is by avoiding hazardous manual handling
operations and designing the work environment in relation to the employee in such a
manner that it will reduce the risk of, or eliminate the working hazards. If it is not
reasonably practicable to eliminate this completely, it shall be carefully and critically
assessed. Employers shall take the task, the load, the working environment, individual
capabilities and other factors into account to ensure preventive and protective control
measures are developed and implemented.

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2. Training and Competency
(a) Employers shall ensure that OSH training complies with the requirements of:
(i)
ADOSH-SF – Element 5 – Training, Awareness and Competency;
(ii)
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 7.0 – Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner and
Service Provider Registration.
(b) Training programs shall be designed to meet the needs of specific occupational groups
or working teams.
(c) Employers shall ensure all relevant employees and contractors that perform manual
handling are at a minimum trained on:
(i) safe work practices and worksite procedures;
(ii) how to identify problems with a task or action and choose appropriate solutions
(basic risk management);
(iii) the types of workplace injuries associated with the manual tasks performed,
their causes, early signs of injury and risk factors; and
(iv) when moving heavy items (lifting, carrying, pushing etc), employees shall know:
1. when to call for help;
2. how to safely use all mechanical aids and assistive devices;
3. how to set up and adjust the work area for safe and efficient handling; and
4. how to apply the principles of safe handling (when physically handling).
(d) Employees shall be trained on the following ergonomic topics:
(i) procedures to request an ergonomic worksite assessment;
(ii) how to ensure their worksite is ergonomically correct;
(iii) early warning signs of an ergonomic injury or illness;
(iv) procedures for reporting of ergonomic injury or illness; and
(v) assistance available if they have suffered an injury or illness.
(e) Training shall be conducted:
(i) prior to starting work when employees are hired or transferred into a task that
requires manual handling, or there is a risk of an ergonomic injury;
(ii) when new tasks are introduced that involve manual handling or increase the risk
of an ergonomic injury; and
(iii) when new equipment (mechanical aids), tools or furniture (adjustable items) are
introduced.
(f) Employers shall ensure that line managers and supervisors shall receive training on:
(i) how to identify unsafe manual handling practices and/or when a workstation is
not ergonomically adjusted to fit the employee;
(ii) policies and procedures on how to perform manual handling tasks safely;

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(iii) basic knowledge to recognize risks associated with manual handling
tools/equipment and the procedures for using/adjusting equipment as per
manufacturer’s instructions;
(iv) basic knowledge on how to setup a workstation / work areas so it is
ergonomically correct;
(v) procedures for reporting of an ergonomic injury or illness; and
(vi) assistance available to employees if they suffer an injury or illness.
(g) Procurement staff, engineers, in-house designers, maintenance staff, and/or
employees responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment shall be
trained on basic manual handling and ergonomic concepts and the importance of using
this knowledge to enhance the work environment and prevent injuries and illnesses.
(h) Refresher training shall be conducted on an annual basis.
(i) Training programs shall be reviewed and updated when there is a change in handling
equipment, control measures, work environment or legislation/standards.
(j) Employers shall maintain a record of the required training that contains the following:
(i) name and ID number;
(ii) Emirates ID number of the employee;
(iii) subject(s) of training;
(iv) date(s) of training; and
(v) person providing the training;

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3. Requirements
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities
3.1.1 Employers
(a) Employers shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation Section 3.2.5.
(b) Employers shall perform a risk assessment in accordance
with ADOSH-SF – Element 2
– Risk Management to determine the risks associated with manual handling and
ergonomics.
(c) Employers shall assess workstations / work areas, or coordinate for their assessment,
to ensure ergonomically safe layouts / set-up.
(d) Employers shall develop and implement control measures and safe work practices to
reduce employee’s exposures to manual handling and ergonomic risks.
(e) Employers shall ensure maintenance is performed on equipment used in manual
handling as per the manufacturer’s instructions and preventative maintenance plan.
(f) Employers shall provide their employees with information about their work
environment, the loads, the safety and health risks and the preventive and protective
control measures in place to prevent injuries and illnesses.
(g) Employers shall assess the employee's capability to perform manual handling
operations which may create safety and health risks, if applicable.
(h) Employers shall comply with the requirements of
ADOSH-SF – CoP 14.1 – Manual Tasks
involving the Handling of People, if applicable.
(i) Employers shall ensure equipment utilized in manual handling is fit for purpose.
(j) Employers shall ensure equipment utilized in manual handling is inspected, tested,
certified and maintained as per the manufacturer’s requirements.
(k) Employers shall monitor the use of equipment used in manual handling to ensure
employees are using the equipment appropriately.
3.1.2 Employees
(a) Employees shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the
general requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-
Regulation Section 3.2.7.
(b) Employees shall report any activity, defect or injury relating to manual handling and
ergonomics and/or which they believe is reasonably foreseeable to endanger their
safety or that of another person.
(c) Employees shall comply with safe work practices and standard operating procedures.

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(d) Employees shall use appropriate equipment or safety devices provided by the
employer in accordance with any training or instruction received in the use of the work
equipment or device concerned.
(e) Employees shall not perform any task requiring training until they have received the
required training and it is documented.
(f) Employees shall not operate any piece of equipment that they are not familiar with
and appropriately trained on its use.
3.2 Planning and Assessment
(a) Employers shall evaluate each workstation / work area / operation to determine if
manual handling and ergonomic hazards are present and control measures and
equipment shall be assessed using risk management practices as required by
ADOSH-
SF – Element 2 – Risk Management.

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4. References
•
Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2010, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland,
Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Government, Australia

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5. Document Amendment Record
Version Revision Date Description of Amendment
Page/s Affected
4.0
15 July 2024
System acronym updated from OSHAD-SF
to ADOSH-SF to accurately reflect
document title
Throughout
Change from OSHAD to ADPHC
Change of Logo
Minor editorial changes throughout the
document without changing requirements.
Title of Mechanism 7.0 updated to ADOSH-
SF – Mechanism 7– Public and Preventive
Health Practitioner and Service Provider
Accreditation
OSHAD-SF - Mechanism 8.0 - OSH
Practitioner Registration deleted