The obligation
PCBUs must identify manual tasks that involve vibration, awkward or sustained postures, repetitive movement, or high, sudden, repetitive or sustained force.
As a general guide, 'repetitive' means a movement or force performed more than twice a minute, and 'sustained' means a posture or force held for more than 30 seconds at a time. High or sudden force can cause an MSD even when the task is done only occasionally or for short periods. Where several risk factors are present and interact, MSD risk rises significantly, so consider the combined effect of every hazard a worker faces.
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- What
- PCBUs must identify manual tasks that involve vibration, awkward or sustained postures, repetitive movement, or high, sudden, repetitive or sustained force.
- Source
- worksafe.qld.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Risk factors that make a manual task hazardous is a WHS requirement set out in Hazardous manual tasks code of practice 2021 (QLD). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD). The relevant provision is Hazardous manual tasks code of practice 2021 > Risk Management > Risk factors.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Risk factors that make a manual task hazardous is a WHS obligation under Hazardous manual tasks code of practice 2021 (QLD). In short, PCBUs must identify manual tasks that involve vibration, awkward or sustained postures, repetitive movement, or high, sudden, repetitive or sustained force.
What changed recently?
Risk factors that make a manual task hazardous was last updated on 19 October 2026.