Injury PreventionManual Task Risk Assessment.
Protect the health and safety of your workers by engaging our occupational health professionals to identify hazardous manual tasks, quantify the risk and recommend the controls that actually work.
The short version
A KINNECT Manual Task Risk Assessment is an onsite review of hazardous manual tasks — conducted by registered allied health professionals — that identifies injury risk, rates its severity using validated tools (ManTRA, RULA/REBA and a 5×5 risk matrix), and documents practical control measures aligned to the Hierarchy of Control. It helps employers meet WHS obligations on Hazardous Manual Tasks and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Get the fundamentals right the first time.
Conducting a thorough risk identification and assessment of manual tasks can be a time-consuming process. Without specialist knowledge, it can result in ineffective risk management strategies that fail to address the real causes of injury.
As occupational health specialists and registered allied health professionals, KINNECT’s consultants are experienced in identifying risks associated with onsite hazardous manual tasks. A solid foundation in risk management processes and a detailed understanding of the Hierarchy of Control let us provide your organisation with comprehensive reporting on the consequences and severity of identified risks — and the controls you can implement to manage them.
A four-stage process aligned to the Code of Practice.
KINNECT’s Manual Task Risk Assessments follow the Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice — structured, repeatable and built around evidence.
- 01
Identify hazardous manual tasks
Walk the site with your team to surface the manual tasks most likely to cause musculoskeletal injury — based on the work as it’s actually done, not the policy on the shelf.
- 02
Assess the risk
Apply validated tools to score exertion, posture, movement, duration and environment — producing an objective, defensible rating of injury risk.
- 03
Recommend control measures
Document targeted controls across the Hierarchy of Control — from behavioural interventions through to engineering modifications that engineer the risk out.
- 04
Review effectiveness
Systematically review controls post-implementation using structured tools, worker engagement and injury/incident data to drive continuous improvement.
Defensible scores from validated assessment tools.
Proper manual task risk assessment requires both risk analysis and risk evaluation. KINNECT typically uses three well-established, validated tools side-by-side.
ManTRA
Manual Task Risk Assessment tool
Scores cumulative musculoskeletal risk across exertion, awkward posture, repetition, vibration and duration of exposure.
RULA / REBA
Rapid Upper Limb & Entire Body Assessment
Postural analysis tools used to objectively rate upper-limb and whole-body risk at the task level.
5×5 Risk Matrix
Likelihood × consequence
Cross-checks the analytical scores against the consequence and likelihood of injury to set the final risk rating.
A proactive, strategic approach to hazard management.
We focus on both human and environmental risk factors, then implement controls through targeted action plans — ranging from behavioural interventions to engineering modifications. At the organisational level, we recommend broader strategies designed to support both individual and group risk mitigation.
- Behavioural & coaching
Counselling and task-based coaching that change how the work is done at the worker level.
- Engineering & environmental
Modifications to equipment, layout and workflow that engineer the physical risk out of the task itself.
- Organisational & cultural
Policy development, cultural change initiatives and structured intervention programs that support individual and group risk mitigation.
- Review & continuous improvement
Post-implementation reviews using structured tools, staff engagement and incident data so controls keep working over time.
Short- and long-term benefits for everyone involved.
Manual Task Risk Assessments deliver tangible value to both employers and the workers doing the job.
For the employer
- Ensures you are meeting your obligations under the WHS Regulations on Hazardous Manual Tasks.
- Reduces the risk of employees sustaining a musculoskeletal injury — and lodging a claim as a result.
- Improves your workplace health and safety culture and the credibility of your safety system.
For the employee
- Reduces the risk of injury that could severely limit the social, financial and career aspects of their lives.
- Improves their perception of workplace health and safety culture.
- Educates them on safe work methods and empowers them to educate others.
Industries and tasks we’ve assessed.
KINNECT has worked with organisations across a wide range of industries to assess and manage hazardous manual tasks.
Local government
- Roads labourer — asphalting
- Local law enforcement officer — handling stray animals
- Labourer — screeding
- Administration — use of compactor
Manufacturing
- Operator — manual handling of supplies
- Maintenance — accessing confined spaces
Energy & resources
- Maintenance — changing conveyor belt
- Compliance testing officer — manual handling test boxes
- Cleaner — manual handling of cleaning equipment
Logistics & warehousing
- Driver — loading and unloading truck
- Picker — picking large boxes
Emergency services
- Call centre officer — prolonged sitting
Common questions.
What is a Manual Task Risk Assessment?
A Manual Task Risk Assessment is a structured, onsite review of hazardous manual tasks. KINNECT’s registered allied health professionals identify the tasks at risk of causing musculoskeletal injury, apply validated tools (ManTRA, RULA/REBA and the 5×5 risk matrix) to rate the risk, and document recommended controls aligned to the Hierarchy of Control.
Why do employers need to assess manual tasks?
Under the WHS Regulations on Hazardous Manual Tasks, employers have a legal obligation to identify, assess and control the risks associated with hazardous manual tasks in the workplace. A Manual Task Risk Assessment provides defensible evidence that these obligations are being met and reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury and claims.
What does the final report include?
A comprehensive written report covering the tasks assessed, the risk analysis tools applied, the consequence and severity of identified risks, and recommended control measures — ranging from behavioural and coaching interventions through to engineering modifications and broader organisational strategies.
Can KINNECT assess a single task or a whole job role?
Both. KINNECT can assess an individual hazardous manual task in isolation, or evaluate every potentially hazardous manual task within a particular job role and produce a consolidated report. Get in touch on 1300 546 632 for a tailored quote.
Part of our Injury Prevention offering.
Sit alongside related KINNECT programs to build a complete picture of risk and the practical training that addresses it.
Job Dictionary / Task Analysis
Objectively profile the physical and psychological demands of a role — the foundation for prevention, recruitment and return-to-work decisions.
Learn moreBody Safe Manual Handling Training
Hands-on, task-replicated manual handling training proven to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and lifting injuries.
Learn moreManual Handling Training
Industry- and task-specific manual handling training delivered onsite by registered allied health professionals.
Learn moreOffice Ergonomic Assessments & Training
In-person and group ergonomic assessments to set workstations up for comfort, posture and long-term health.
Learn morePhysical Conditioning Programs
Targeted conditioning programs that build capacity for physically demanding roles and reduce injury risk.
Learn more
Ready to engineer the risk out?
Tell us about the tasks, the team and the outcome you’re after. A KINNECT consultant will be in touch — typically within one business day.