Applied Ergonomics 35 (2004) 293–300 Evaluation in industry of a draft code of practice for manual handling Liz Ashby a, *, David Tappin a , Tim Bentley b a Centre for Human Factors and Ergonomics (COHFE), Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, New Zealand b Department of Management and International Business, Massey University, Albany Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre, New Zealand Received 5 August 2002; received in revised form 24 September 2003; accepted 4 November 2003 Abstract This paper reports findings from a study which evaluated the draft New Zealand Code of Practice for Manual Handling. The evaluation assessed the ease of use, applicability and validity of the Code and in particular the associated manual handling hazard assessment tools, within New Zealand industry. The Code was studied in a sample of eight companies from four sectors of industry. Subjective feedback and objective findings indicated that the Code was useful, applicable and informative. The manual handling hazard assessment tools incorporated in the Code could be adequately applied by most users, with risk assessment outcomes largely consistent with the findings of researchers using more specific ergonomics methodologies. However, some changes were recommended to the risk assessment tools to improve usability and validity. The evaluation concluded that both the Code and the tools within it would benefit from simplification, improved typography and layout, and industry-specific information on manual handling hazards. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Manual handling; Code of practice; Hazard assessment 1. Introduction There is recognition world wide of the need to address manual handling risk within workplaces, in order to reduce potential for harm among employees (Marras, 2000; Dawe, 1998). In New Zealand, a strategy to reduce and manage back injuries has been developed over recent years. Due to an absence of substantial evidence of factors contributing to acute low-back pain, an Accident Compensation Corporation programme has focused on management of acute back pain within the workplace (Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation and the National Health Com- mittee, 2000). New Zealand has also recognised that controlling risk factors that contribute to serious back injuries, (e.g., heavy lifting, road traffic accidents, slip, trips and falls) supports the management of acute low- back pain (Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation and the National Health Com- mittee, 2000). In an effort to both reduce serious back injuries and manage acute back injuries, improvement in risk assessment and implementation of controls for manual handling activities has been promoted in New Zealand through a Serious Back Injury Programme (Darby, 2001). This programme has included the devel- opment of a Code of Practice for Manual Handling to replace the previous New Zealand manual handling guidelines (Occupational Safety and Health Service, 1991). 2. Code of practice The authors provided draft content for the ‘‘Code of Practice for the Prevention of Harm from Manual Handling’’ (the Code) with initial input from a Serious Back Injury Advisory Group of industry representatives and health and safety experts. The Code contained information on: * manual handling issues, * legislation, * means of identification, assessment and control of manual handling hazards. Extensive literature was considered during the com- pilation of the Code and accompanying records ARTICLE IN PRESS *Corresponding author. Tel.: +64-7-343-5899; fax: +64-7-343- 5528. E-mail address: liz.ashby@cohfe.co.nz (L. Ashby). 0003-6870/$ - see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2003.11.005