Ergonomics — Healthcare SWMS

Musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare extend far beyond patient manual handling to include sustained postures during surgery, microscopy, and dental procedures, repetitive tasks in pathology laboratories and pharmacies, and poorly designed computer workstations used by administrative and clinical documentation staff. Surgeons standing for multi-hour procedures develop chronic back, neck, and lower limb conditions. Sonographers performing sustained arm elevation during scanning have the highest upper limb disorder rate of any healthcare profession. This template covers non-patient ergonomic hazards in healthcare with controls mapped to the binding Hazardous Manual Tasks Code effective 1 July 2026.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 3.1 — Hazardous Manual Tasks

hrcw category

Hazardous manual tasks (sustained posture, repetitive movements)

code of practice

Hazardous Manual Tasks (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — Hazardous Manual Tasks code binding July 2026. Non-compliance is a standalone offence.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Sustained standing during surgical and dental procedures	Chronic lower back pain, varicose veins, foot disorders	Likely
Sustained arm elevation during ultrasound scanning	Shoulder and rotator cuff injury, upper limb disorder	Likely
Sustained microscopy posture in pathology laboratories	Neck pain, cervical spine degeneration, eye strain	Likely
Repetitive keyboard and mouse use at clinical documentation workstations	Carpal tunnel syndrome, upper limb disorder	Possible
Repetitive fine motor tasks in pharmacy compounding and laboratory work	Hand and wrist tendinopathy, nerve entrapment	Possible

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Conduct ergonomic risk assessments for all roles with sustained posture or repetitive task requirements

Provide sit-stand operating stools and anti-fatigue mats for surgical and dental procedure rooms

Ensure sonography equipment is adjustable for height, angle, and position to minimise arm elevation

Set up microscope workstations with adjustable eyepiece height, armrests, and lumbar support

Assess all computer workstations against AS/NZS 3590 and provide adjustable furniture

Implement micro-break programs for roles with sustained posture requirements

Rotate repetitive tasks where feasible to distribute musculoskeletal load

Recent Prosecutions

WorkSafe Victoria v Radiology Practice$160,000

Multiple sonographers developed chronic shoulder injuries from sustained scanning without adjustable equipment. Practice had no ergonomic risk assessment and no workstation adjustment program.

2023 — WorkSafe Victoria Prosecution Database

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Ergonomic risk assessment for each role with sustained posture or repetitive tasks

✓Equipment adjustment specifications for surgical stools, microscopes, and scanning equipment

✓Computer workstation assessment program against AS/NZS 3590

✓Micro-break schedule for sustained posture roles

✓Task rotation requirements for repetitive work activities

Need a compliant Healthcare Ergonomics SWMS?

Our WHS consultants develop ergonomic SWMS with workstation assessments and posture management programs for clinical and administrative roles.