Abu Dhabi EHSMS Regulatory

Framework
(AD EHSMS RF)

EHS Regulatory Instrument

Code of Practice

EHS RI - CoP 14.0 – Manual Handling and

Ergonomics

Version 2.0

February 2012
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With gratitude Abu Dhabi EHS Center acknowledges the great support provided by the Executive
Council in facilitating the issuance of Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health and Safety Management
System (AD EHSMS) and its implementation at Emirate level.

The issuance of the system would not have been possible without the supervision, diligent efforts and
productive recommendations of the AD EHS Center Board of Directors.

These documents (Regulatory Instruments) constitute the efforts of the Abu Dhabi EHS Center and the
concerned Sector Regulatory Authorities and who worked together to integrate all relevant regulatory
requirements under AD EHSMS RF. The input, contribution and constructive views of all sectors is
highly appreciated.

May these documents prove to be beneficial and helpful in system implementation and in expanding
the knowledge in the EHS field.

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 Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6
2. Training and Competency..................................................................................................... 6
3. Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................ 8
3.2 Planning and Assessment......................................................................................... 9
4. References ........................................................................................................................... 9

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 Preface
This Abu Dhabi EHS Regulatory Instrument was developed by the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi as the
primary Competent Authority for this topic to set the minimum mandatory requirements.

Every effort was made in developing this document so that it does not conflict with existing local or
federal laws and regulations. In case of conflict, requirements of the existing local and federal laws and
regulations shall prevail, and all concerned are obliged to bring the same to the attention of AD EHS
Center for resolution.

This AD EHS Regulatory Instrument has been developed, reviewed and approved, following the
process as described in AD EHSMS Implementation Guideline: The Integration of EHS Requirements in
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by the following stakeholders:
 Abu Dhabi EHS Higher Committee;
 Abu Dhabi EHS Center;
 Environment Agency Abu Dhabi;
 Department of Municipal Affairs;
 Abu Dhabi Municipality;
 Al Ain Municipality;
 Western Region Municipality;
 Department of Transport – Abu Dhabi;
 Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority;
 Health Authority - Abu Dhabi;
 Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp);
 Center for Waste Management – Abu Dhabi;
 Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority;
 Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority;
 Abu Dhabi Education Council
 Regulation and Supervision Bureau; and
 Other Relevant Federal and Local Competent Authorities.

The AD EHSMS consists of the following hierarchy of documents:

 AD EHSMS RF Elements - Mandatory System Requirements

EHS Regulatory Instruments:

 Standards and Guideline Values - Mandatory EHS threshold and exposure levels
 Codes of Practice - Mandatory EHS technical requirements – subject specific
 Mechanisms - Mandatory system implementation processes and procedures

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 Guidelines:
 Technical Guidelines - Non-mandatory guidance on how to implement an EHS Regulatory
Instrument
 AD EHSMS Guidance Documents - Non-mandatory guidance and interpretation of an AD EHSMS
RF concept and/or principle

Further, this document is not intended to conflict with any contractual obligations in effect at the time of
its issuance. However, all future contracts shall adhere to applicable requirements stated herein, and
existing long term contracts shall be brought into compliance with its requirements as soon as
reasonably practicable as stipulated by relevant subject authorities.

This document will be reviewed periodically as part of the continual improvement cycle.

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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.

2. Training and Competency

(a) Employers shall ensure that EHS training complies with the requirements of:
(i) AD EHSMS RF – Element 05 – Training and Competency;
(ii) AD EHS RI – Mechanism 7.0 – AD EHS Professional Entity Registration; and
(iii) AD EHS RI – Mechanism 8.0 – AD EHS Practitioner 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
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 4) have the ability 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 so it 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 this 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) 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;
(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.

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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 AD EHSMS RF – Element 01 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation
Section 3.2.5.

(b) Employers shall be responsible for performing a risk assessment in accordance with AD
EHSMS RF – Element 02 – 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 AD EHS RI – CoP 14.1 – Manual Tasks
involving the Handling of People, if applicable.

(i) Employers shall ensure equipment utilized in manual handling or a person 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.

(l) Employers shall refer to AD EHSMS RF – Technical Guideline – Manual Handling and
Ergonomics as a resource to identify hazards and develop procedures for manual handling
and ergonomics.

3.1.2 Employees

(a) Employees shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the general
requirements of AD EHSMS RF – Element 01 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation
Section 3.2.7.
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 (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.

(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 AD EHSMS RF – Element 02 –
Risk Management.

4. References
 AD EHSMS RF – Element 01 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation

 AD EHSMS RF – Element 02 – Risk Management

 AD EHS RI – CoP 14.1 – Manual Tasks Involving the Handling of People

 AD EHSMS RF – Technical Guideline – Manual Handling and Ergonomics

 Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2010, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland,
Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Government, Australia

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© Abu Dhabi EHS Center 2012

This document is and shall remain the property of the AD EHS Center. The document may only be used for the purposes
for which it was intended. Unauthorised use or reproduction of this document is prohibited.

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