Australia Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks 3.1: 3.1 Carry out a risk assessment for hazardous tasks unless the risk and control are known

A risk assessment should be carried out, in consultation with workers, for manual tasks identified as hazardous unless the risk is well known and the control known. It helps decide which postures, movements and forces pose a risk, where in the task, why they occur and what needs fixing, and helps identify exposed workers, sources of risk, suitable controls and whether existing controls work. Many hazards and controls are well known, in which case a formal assessment is not needed and the controls can be implemented directly. Severity ranges from minor discomfort to serious injury.