Manual handling checklist

Site: ______________________ Date: ____________ Checked by: ______________________

01Assessment

Risk assessment lists each manual handling task, with load weight and frequency. WSH (Risk Management) Regs
Risk assessment was completed before the work started. WSH (Risk Management) Regs
Risk assessment reviewed in the last three years, and after any change or incident. WSH (Risk Management) Regs
Workers who do the task took part in the assessment.

02Remove or reduce the lift

Materials delivered as close to the point of use as possible.
Trolleys, pallet jacks or hoists available and in working order at the task.
Heavy or bulky items ordered in smaller or lighter packs where possible.
Work raised to waist height on benches or lift tables, not done at floor level.

03Storage and route

Heavy items stored between knee and shoulder height.
Carry routes clear of materials, cables and debris.
Floors on the route dry and even. Ramps provided where trolleys cross steps.
Route and work area well lit.

04Task and people

Team lifts set for loads too heavy or bulky for one person, with one person calling the lift.
Repetitive lifting tasks rotated between workers.
Rest breaks scheduled for heavy handling, more often in hot weather.
New, returning or recovering workers given lighter handling duties at first.

05Training and PPE

Workers shown safe lifting steps for the actual loads on this site.
Workers trained to use the trolleys and lifting aids provided.
Gloves with good grip available for rough, sharp or slippery loads.
Safety boots worn by everyone carrying loads.

06Reporting

Workers know to report back, shoulder or wrist pain to the supervisor.
Aches and strains logged and fed back into the risk assessment.
Diagnosed upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders reported through iReport within 10 days of receiving the diagnosis. WSH (Incident Reporting) Regs

Legal requirement

In Singapore, the WSH (Risk Management) Regulations require a risk assessment before work starts, covering manual handling. You must remove foreseeable risks where reasonably practicable and reduce the rest through the hierarchy of control. SS 569:2011 is the approved code of practice and reference for manual handling. A diagnosed work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorder must be reported to MOM within 10 days of the employer receiving the diagnosis.

This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.

Manual handling checklist

01Assessment

02Remove or reduce the lift

03Storage and route

04Task and people

05Training and PPE

06Reporting

Sources and further reading

Related reading

Manual handling: what supervisors need to know

Toolbox talk: manual handling

Toolbox talk: back care and lifting technique