Alba Ergonomics ~ Sydney Australia

Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM)

PErforM is a manual task risk-management program based on participative ergonomics. It is an evidence-based program designed to recognise and engage the “experts” of the task – the workers; consultation with the workers who perform that task and involving them in a practical, solutions-based approach enables the workplace to reduce the number of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. Contact Alba Ergonomics to conduct a PErforM program at your workplace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) All About?

Why Ergonomists Use the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) Program

This is best practice in line with WHS legislation. Manual tasks are different from Hazardous Manual Tasks (HMT’s). Not all manual tasks result in an increased risk of injury to the worker. Manual handling tasks should always be assessed to identify any component of that task that may make it hazardous, identifying any risk factors that may increase the risk of MSD’s. Using the PerforM, HMT’s can be identified and controlled by engaging the workers who perform that task! In our experience, involving workers right from the beginning and listening to their input results in more sustainable and practicable risk mitigating controls.

How We use the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) Program

The PErforM uses a series of worksheets to guide the inclusive assessment process. The hazardous manual tasks risk factors outlined in the WHS legislation are simplified within the PErforM program.
The assessment begins with management and worker engagement. The assessment tool considers forceful exertions, awkward and static postures, vibration, repetition, and duration of the task, with information gathered from the people that know the work demands best.

Using our expertise and specialist knowledge we facilitate the process and ask the workers themselves, what tasks are the most physically difficult, tiring, awkward, dangerous, or uncomfortable to perform? What is working, what is not? What have you already tried yourself? What could be improved? Workers who perform the hazardous manual task, their supervisors and others who may be affected by the changes to the design or process (e.g., maintenance staff, cleaners), should be involved in this assessment and solutions process, this includes developing and implementing controls to achieve the most successful results.

Benefits of the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM)

Involving workers right from the beginning and listening to their input and ideas achieves the most accurate assessment of the task results in more sustainable and practicable risk mitigating controls that are ‘owned’ by the workers from the beginning.

The PErforM is an evidence-based program that helps businesses to meet their Workplace Health and Safety obligations by identifying and addressing Hazardous Manual Tasks (HMT) in the workplace through WHS consultation, cooperation, and coordination.

Links to Resources

Do you feel that the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) program would be useful to identify and reduce the risk of Musculoskeletal Injury in your workplace?

Our professional ergonomists here at Alba are experts in safe, healthy, and well people, by design. Contact Alba Ergonomics to organise a consultation with Australia’s leading Ergonomists.

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List of Ergonomic Risk Assessment Tools

This list contains some common risk assessment tools used by Certified Professional Ergonomists

Welder performing manual tasks in the workshop.

Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) is a useful tool to screen and assess manual tasks that place demands on the entire body and can used in workplaces where a hazardous manual task has been identified or when work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are reported quickly and easily.

Truck driver performing repetitive tasks.

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)

RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) is a useful screening tool to assess manual tasks that specifically involve use of the upper limb and can used in workplaces where a hazardous manual task has been identified or when work-related upper limb disorders are reported.

Farmhand performing manual lifting of heavy goods.

Revised National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Lifting Equation

The Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation is a tool, developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), designed calculate an overall risk index for tasks that require single or multiple manual lifting tasks to help evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Plumber working in a confined space performing manual labour tasks.

Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM)

PErforM is a manual task risk-management program based on participative ergonomics. It is an evidence-based program designed to recognise and engage the “experts,” talking to the workers who perform that task and involving them in a practical, solutions-based approach to reduce the number of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.

Waiter carrying two plates of food on one arm.

Manual Tasks Risk Assessment Tool (ManTRA)

ManTRA (Manual Task Risk Assessment), conceptually based on the upper limb Strain Index, was devised as a measurement tool to be employed by Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors to screen manual handling tasks and assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Manual Tasks Risk Assessment Tool (ManTRA) is a useful screening tool that requires no special equipment and gives a skilled ergonomist a quick assessment of the postures and loads experienced, broken down into individual regions of the body.

Crane operator preparing to move heavy goods.

The APHIRM Toolkit

A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Management (APHIRM) is a toolkit for improving the risk management of musculoskeletal disorders. The APHIRM toolkit is a set of evidence-based procedures and tools for workplace users to manage risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (MSDs). It is unique in that is considers both the physical demands of manual handling tasks AND psychosocial hazards that we know affect MSD risk.

Factory assembly worker performing repetitive tasks using her hands.

ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Hand Activity

ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Hand Activity is a useful assessment tool designed to protect workers, who perform repetitive hand exertions for 4 or more hours per day. It is a highly specific tool, limited to single task jobs that demand repetitive exertions, separated by periods of rest.

Ergonomisst performing a risk assessment in the workplace.

Book an Ergonomics Risk Assessment

As Professional Ergonomists we follow a systems-based approach. We utilise a broad range of best practice, evidence-based methods to assess tasks. We consider these tasks within the overall job demands and provide advice to optimise human well-being, performance, and productivity. Contact Alba Ergonomics to book an ergonomics risk assessment at your workplace. We're based in Sydney and provide services across all of Australia and internationally.

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Claere Kay

27 December 2016

Claire is an extremely talented and capable safety and health professional! She has the ability to analyze and assess a safety problem and develop practical and innovative approaches and solutions. She is also reliable, conscientious and efficient and I can't recommend her highly enough.

Tim Knowles

20 December 2016

Our global company (Pressalit A/s) was directed towards Claire, for her professionalism and great depth of knowledge in her chosen field of expertise. Without a shadow of a doubt, Claire delivered all and more that we expected of her, and I would have no hesitation is putting her down as a leading individual who can deliver the goods. I wish her every success for the future, and happy to answer any questions about our experience with Claire.

Yvonne Hinch

3 February 2012

Claire is always good to work with, begin personable while at the same time remaining highly professional and effective. It is always a pleasure to work with her.

Julie Pengelly

12 May 2011

Claire has been engaged on a number of occasions for her ergonomics and human factors expertise and also her ability to facilitate group processes. Additionally I have been associated with Claire in her position of NSW HFESA Conveyor.

During these occasions, Claire has always been highly professional, diligent and displayed a strong work ethic and importantly delivering agreed outcomes within, often tight timeframes.

Claire has demonstrated her ability to work effectively with a wide range of clientele and adapts her style and approach to ensure the success of the project/ deliverables. She has excellent interpersonal skills and is extremely pleasant and hassle free to work with.

Based on the work Claire has delivered, I would highly recommend her to other organisations and have no hesitations in providing this recommendation.

Suresh Manickam

20 April 2011

I engaged Claire to provide OH&S advice to my business. The advice she provided was expert, thorough, cost effective and timely. Claire highlighted the current & potential risks and provided practical strategies to deal with them. I have no hesitation in recommending Claire as an OH&S expert.