Team Lifting

The 'Team Lifting' SOP outlines safety protocols for collaborative lifting tasks, addressing key hazards such as musculoskeletal injuries, crush injuries, and communication failures. This document is essential for employers and employees in all industries where team lifting is required, ensuring compliance with relevant work health and safety legislation. By following these guidelines, teams can minimize risks, enhance safety, and maintain a healthy workplace environment.

• Musculoskeletal injury — back, shoulder, knee strain
• Crush injury from a dropped or shifting load
• Slip, trip, or fall while carrying the load
• Pinch and crush injuries during grip changes or set-down
• Communication failure leading to one person taking the full load
• Mismatched lifting heights of team members
• Long carry distances increasing fatigue
• Unstable, hot, sharp, or chemically hazardous loads

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state/territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) — Part 4.2 Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia — Guide to Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS 4024.1 series — Safety of machinery (where lifting aids are involved)
• Manual Handling Risk Assessment (associated document)