The first step is to understand the nature of the risks in your business to then be able to implement effective control measures that reduce, or ideally eliminate, workplace risks. For food processing environments, this involves a detailed analysis and evaluation of hazardous manual tasks specific to your industry, thereby understanding the potential for injury. Employ Health’s evidence-based approach provides your business a robust process for managing these risks.

What Is A Food Processing-Specific ManTRA?

A Food Processing-Specific Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA) is a tailored assessment tool designed to evaluate musculoskeletal risk factors in manual tasks unique to the food processing industry. It assesses task frequency, duration, and various task characteristics, enabling accurate risk level assessment and identification of necessary control measures.

The ManTRA Process in Food Processing

For optimal implementation in food processing settings, the ManTRA process involves:

  • An Employ Health physiotherapist with food processing industry expertise.

  • Food processing workers who perform the manual tasks regularly.

  • Management staff responsible for overseeing hazardous manual tasks.

Together, we evaluate the tasks, focusing on critical characteristics (cycle time, force, speed, awkwardness, and vibration) for different body regions. This collaborative analysis helps in assessing each risk factor, based on the advisory standards.

Risk control measures are then recommended according to the level of identified risk, ensuring effective hazard management specific to your food processing environment.

Enhancing ManTRA with PErforM in Food Processing

In addition to implementing ManTRA, food processing facilities often benefit from the integration of the PErforM tool (Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks) alongside your ManTRA. This encourages employee participation as experts in their tasks, facilitating a more inclusive risk analysis process.

Benefits for Food Processing Businesses and Teams

Compliance with WHS Regulations:

Utilising ManTRA in food processing ensures adherence to WHS obligations, completing a thorough risk management process.

Learning Safe Work Practices:

Engagement through the ManTRA process supports staff to understand risk management in your food processing environment, leading to safer work practices.

Reducing Injury Risks:

Managing manual task risks effectively within your business reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries such as strains, sprains, and fractures.

Improving Workplace Culture:

Adopting ManTRA and PErforM fosters a positive health and safety culture, reducing risks in various aspects of food processing work.

Reducing Sprain & Strain Claims:

Implementing ManTRA in food processing environments has shown significant reductions in related injury claims.

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When Is a Food Processing-Specific ManTRA Required?

A ManTRA should be conducted in food processing environments when manual handling hazards are identified. This process should include consultations with workers and safety representatives, and a review of injury trends to identify high-risk tasks.

Why Choose Employ Health for Food Processing ManTRAs?

Employ Health’s physiotherapists possess specialised knowledge in the food processing sector, understanding the unique manual task challenges it presents. Our experience in applying ManTRA and PErforM ensures comprehensive risk management, in line with the Hierarchy of Controls and the Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.

Additional Services for Food Processing Workers

  1. Job Dictionary Development

  2. Pre-Employment Screening

  3. Task-Specific Ergonomic Assessments

  4. Workstation Ergonomic Assessments

  5. Preventative Physiotherapy (Prehab) Programs

  6. Early Intervention Physiotherapy

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Call 1300 367 519
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