HSEC-B-09: Group Standard H3 - Manual Tasks and Workplace Ergonomics Management

HSEC-B-09
Group Standard
H3 - Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics

management
Group Title: Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics management
standard
Function: Health, Safety, Environment and Communities (HSEC)
No. of Pages: 3
Approved : Effective: Supersedes: Auditable From:

12 November 1 April 2015 B3 Manual handling 1 April 2015
2014 and vibration (2009)
Owner: Approver: Target Audience:

Global head of Health, Safety, Executive Committee All Rio Tinto staff and
each Rio Tinto Group
Environment and Communities
business and function
Direct Linkages to other relevant Policies, Standards, Procedures or Guidance notes:
Rio Tinto management system, Health and medical monitoring Group procedure.
Document purpose:
To support implementation of the Group Occupational Health and Safety policy. It defines the minimum
acceptable requirements for behaviours and/or conditions in respect of managing the potential for
occupational health impacts associated with workplace manual tasks and ergonomics, which, if not met,
could materially impact the Group.
H3 - Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics
management
Intent and scope

This standard applies to employees and contractors working at all Rio Tinto business units and
managed operations through all stages of their lifecycle, from exploration through to closure. It covers
workplace manual task hazard identification, exposure evaluation and controls to avoid harmful
musculoskeletal effects. Manual handling risks may be related to task and equipment design or work
practices.
The intent is to:
• Reduce hazardous workplace ergonomic conditions to prevent the potential for permanent
disability musculoskeletal illness or injury.
• Assist compliance with local legal requirements and industry standards.
This standard is risk based and applies where there is a high or critical risk of harmful effect due to
manual tasks.
Control requirements
Requirements in this standard apply in addition to any defined in the Rio Tinto management system.
Planning
1.1 Workplace (e.g. work areas, equipment) design, layout, practices and operational procedures
must be assessed by a competent person. This is to identify potential harmful health and safety
consequences due to manual handling and other ergonomic issues.
1.2 Manual tasks identified as having potential to cause a permanent disability must be assessed.
The assessment must include the impact of internal and external forces acting on the human
body.
1.3 Workplace vibration sources must be identified, risk assessed and measured. This applies
where there is a potential to exceed the exposure limit values specified in the European Directive
on vibration (2002/44/EC).
1.4 There must be design criteria to reduce ergonomic risk for the purchase or build of new fixed and
mobile workplace equipment, and furniture. This also applies to changes to existing equipment.
Implementation and operation
1.5 Machines, equipment or alternative systems of work must be used to protect workers from
harmful exposure due to heavy, awkward or repetitive tasks.
Monitoring
1.6 Employees and category 1 contractors commencing work in jobs with potential to cause
permanent disability due to manual tasks must have a pre-placement medical examination.
This must be followed up by periodic medical examinations, with the frequency and form based
on risk assessment and physical demands of the role. Medical examinations must meet the
requirements of the Health and medical monitoring Group procedure.
Standard H3 – Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics management Page 2 of 3

1.7 The periodic medical examination programme must include:
a) the identification of risk factors that may impact on the likelihood of permanent disability;
b) education to recognise unsafe conditions and early symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
Include support to maintain health or address identified risk factors; and
c) where required, education and support to assist workers regain their fitness for work.
Standard H3 – Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics management Page 3 of 3

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HSEC-B-09

H3 - Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics

Function: Health, Safety, Environment and Communities (HSEC)

Approved : Effective: Supersedes: Auditable From:

Owner: Approver: Target Audience:

Direct Linkages to other relevant Policies, Standards, Procedures or Guidance notes:

Intent and scope

Implementation and operation

Standard H3 – Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics management Page 2 of 3

b) education to recognise unsafe conditions and early symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.

Include support to maintain health or address identified risk factors; and

Standard H3 – Manual tasks and workplace ergonomics management Page 3 of 3

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