The Manual Tasks Involving the Handling of People Code of Practice 2001 helps Queensland workplaces manage tasks where a worker physically moves, supports or restrains another person. For builders, subcontractors, supervisors and tradies, it is particularly relevant where work may involve assisting an injured person, supporting someone with limited mobility, conducting a rescue or moving a person during an emergency.
The Queensland Code is an approved code of practice and provides a practical approach to the relevant health and safety standards. Local requirements vary, so always check current regulator material for the jurisdiction where the work is being performed.
What counts as people handling?
People handling includes using force to hold, support, transfer, lift, lower, carry, push, pull, slide or restrain a person at work. It is treated as a hazardous manual task.
Unlike a box or building product, a person may move unexpectedly, lose balance, become distressed or be unable to assist. The Code states that a worker should not fully lift a person unaided, other than a small infant. Mechanical aids, assistive devices or help from other workers should be used where required.
Main hazards
Common hazards include:
- lifting or supporting a person’s weight without assistance
- bent, twisted, reaching or static working postures
- repeated transfers, pushing, pulling or repositioning
- sudden force when someone falls, slips or moves unpredictably
- restricted spaces, uneven surfaces, slopes or poor access
- poorly maintained wheeled or mechanical equipment
- fatigue, time pressure, inadequate staffing or working alone
- poor communication between the worker and the person being assisted.
These conditions can contribute to musculoskeletal injuries affecting the back, shoulders, wrists and other parts of the body. The Code groups the direct risk factors as forceful exertion, awkward or static postures, and repetition or duration. Workplace design, the environment, the handling procedure, the person’s characteristics, worker capability and work organisation can all affect the risk.
What should be sorted before work starts?
Start by identifying each task that could require a person to be moved or supported. Break the task into its individual actions rather than assessing it as one broad activity.
Consult the workers who may perform the task and consider:
- the person’s mobility, condition, behaviour and ability to communicate
- the route, access, floor conditions and available space
- whether mechanical aids or additional workers are needed
- who will coordinate the activity and when work must stop
- foreseeable emergencies, including falls and rescue situations
- whether workers are trained and competent with the selected equipment.
The Code describes an ongoing process of identifying hazards, assessing and prioritising risks, selecting and implementing controls, and reviewing whether those controls work.
Controls and documents that usually matter
Good controls focus first on avoiding unnecessary manual handling. Where handling remains necessary, suitable measures may include accessible mechanical aids, adjustable equipment, improved access, clear routes, better work positioning, adequate staffing and planned team handling.
Mechanical handling equipment should suit the task and person, remain readily accessible and be regularly serviced. Its introduction should be supported by user training and a maintenance schedule.
Depending on the workplace, useful documents and records commonly include:
- a task risk assessment or JSA
- a site-specific handling, rescue or emergency procedure
- equipment operating instructions and inspection records
- induction, training and competency records
- consultation records and pre-start briefings
- incident, near-miss and early-symptom reports
- a control implementation and review record.
Training should reflect the actual tasks, equipment and procedures used at the workplace. Records should show what training occurred, when it occurred and the competency attained.
When does a SWMS apply?
People handling does not by itself determine whether a SWMS is required. For construction work, check whether the activity forms part of high risk construction work under the requirements applying to that project and jurisdiction.
Where a SWMS applies, it should address the relevant site conditions and controls without replacing any separate rescue, emergency, equipment or handling procedure needed for the task. For other work, a risk assessment, JSA, handling procedure or rescue plan may be the more suitable site-specific document.
Practical warning signs
Stop and reassess if workers are expected to catch a falling person, improvise a lift, use unavailable or faulty equipment, work in cramped access, rush because of staffing pressure, or perform a task outside their training. Repeated soreness, minor strains, near misses and workarounds are also signs that controls need review.
Controls should be checked after implementation and revisited when tasks, people, equipment or site conditions change. Worker feedback, observation and incident information help confirm whether the controls are present, used correctly and effective.
How Blue Safe can help
Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client’s activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. This can include risk assessments, procedures, SWMS where applicable, rescue and emergency documents, training materials and supporting records.
Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them. Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence.
Official sources
- Manual Tasks Involving the Handling of People Code of Practice 2001
- Queensland codes of practice
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Queensland)
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Queensland)
Information current: 7 August 2026. Local requirements vary and current regulator material should be checked. A national Model Code may provide general orientation but is not automatically applicable law in every Australian jurisdiction.