Australian Capital Territory
Work Safety (National Standard for Manual Tasks) Code of Practice 2010 
Disallowable instrument DI 2010 - 238
made under the  
Work Safety Act 2008, section 18 (Codes of Practice)

Explanatory Statement

Section 18 of the Work Safety Act 2008 provides that the Minister may approve a code of practice to provide practical guidance about the Act.  Section 18(2) provides that before approving a proposed code of practice, the Minister must consult with the ACT Work Safety Council.  At its 3rd meeting on 18 June 2010, the Council noted that approval would be sought to have the National Standard for Manual Tasks notified as a Code of Practice in the ACT.

The Code provides guidance to prevent injury and illness to persons engaged in manual tasks at work.  It sets out practical guidance on how to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorder from manual tasks performed at work. 

An employer, an owner of premises used as a workplace, a designer, manufacturer or supplier of places of work or of items for use in a workplace, a health and safety representative, an OHS professional, a worker or anyone else interested in reducing the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal injuries that may arise as a result of performing manual tasks at work, will implement the recommended procedures for managing the risks that arise from performing manual tasks at work. 

The objects of the Code are to assist in reducing the incidence and severity of injuries to workers from the performance of manual tasks, and to reduce injury costs.

Following the Code could produce benefits that include-

•	improved business performance, efficiency and productivity;
•	fewer workers’ compensation claims, which may lead to lower premiums;
•	faster and easier return to work for workers who do sustain an injury;
•	fewer absences from work, and less disruption;
•	retention of skilled workers;  and
•	a safe workplace with a positive safety culture.

This instrument takes effect on 1 October 2010.

An approval under section 18 (1) is a disallowable instrument.