Activity: Manual handling of catering equipment, food supplies, gazebos, tables, cooking equipment, LPG cylinders, and service items during set-up, service, and breakdown at event sites.
| Hazard | Who is at Risk | L | S | Initial Risk | Control Measures | L | S | Residual Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifting/carrying heavy cooking equipment (fryers, grills, ovens) | All staff | 4 | 4 | 16 HIGH | Two-person lifts mandatory for items >20 kg. Trolleys used where available. No single lifts above shoulder height. Pre-task briefing at each event. Closest possible vehicle access secured. | 2 | 3 | 6 LOW |
| Handling LPG cylinders (propane/butane) | All staff | 3 | 4 | 12 MED | Cylinders handled upright at all times. Cylinder trolley used. Staff trained in safe handling. Cylinders secured before moving. Max 2 cylinders moved at once. | 2 | 3 | 6 LOW |
| Carrying gazebo/canopy frames and weights | All staff | 3 | 3 | 9 MED | Frames carried by minimum 2 persons. Carry bags used. Route to pitch assessed and cleared before carrying. Gazebo weights handled with bent-knee posture. | 2 | 2 | 4 LOW |
| Repetitive carrying of food/supply boxes | All staff | 3 | 2 | 6 LOW | Loads split to <15 kg per box. Wheeled crates used where available. Adequate rest breaks during load-in/out. Staff rotate tasks to reduce repetition. | 2 | 2 | 4 LOW |
| Working in confined vehicle/trailer space | All staff | 2 | 3 | 6 LOW | Organisation of trailer planned in advance. No overhead reaching with heavy loads. Steps used to avoid climbing into trailer. Items positioned at waist height where possible. | 1 | 2 | 2 LOW |
| Uneven ground causing strain during lifting | All staff | 3 | 3 | 9 MED | Ground assessed before unloading. Items not lifted on uneven or sloped surfaces unless unavoidable. Additional assistance called if ground conditions poor. | 2 | 2 | 4 LOW |
| Musculoskeletal injury from sustained postures (serving/cooking) | All staff | 3 | 2 | 6 LOW | Anti-fatigue mats used at static work stations. Regular posture breaks scheduled. Equipment heights adjusted where possible. Heavy items stored at waist level. | 2 | 2 | 4 LOW |
All staff receive manual handling awareness briefing at induction. Staff are instructed to report any injury, near-miss, or task that they feel presents an unacceptable manual handling risk immediately to the event manager. Pregnant workers and those with disclosed health conditions will be given alternative duties.
This assessment will be reviewed: annually (December each year); following any manual handling injury; when new equipment or significant change in operations occurs.