B5. Physically Demanding Work

Code 8.0

Worker exposure to the hazards of physically demanding work shall be controlled effectively.

Elements to Demonstrate Compliance to RBA Code

1. Policy

Ensure company's health and safety policy addresses physically demanding work such that worker exposure to its hazards is controlled effectively.

• a. Workers' exposures to physically demanding work are identified and adequately controlled through appropriate engineering, process, and administrative controls.

2. Procedures & Practices

Procedures & Practices are in place such that:

• a. Adequate engineering controls to reduce or eliminate physically demanding work are in place and effective (e.g., palletizers, lift tables, adjustable work platforms).
• b. Process and administrative controls are in place and effective (e.g., limiting worker exposure time, job rotation).

3. Controls & Monitoring

Controls & Monitoring should include:

• a. Verification that engineering, process, and administrative controls remain in place and effective for tasks involving physically demanding work (e.g., heavy or repetitive lifting, prolonged standing).

4. Records

Records are maintained including:

• a. Documentation demonstrating that controls for physically demanding work are in place and effective.

NOTE: Ratings for non-conformance follow the general finding severity definitions. Where no physically demanding work is present, this criterion is Not Applicable.

1.1.0 (2022-06-01)

Removed

• Detailed conformance requirements and specific rating bands stripped to a generic rule: The detailed 7.0.0 requirements were stripped to a bare 'Adequate engineering controls... Process and administrative controls in place and effective'. Removed: mandatory risk-assessment-on-Significant-Change, the documented hierarchy-of-controls program, encouragement/response to early reporting of discomfort, 3-year injury trend analysis, and periodic ergonomic task analyses. The criterion-specific Priority/Major/Minor rating bands were replaced by generic 'See finding severity definition'. Removals cannot fail a prior pass and no specific finding that passed under the 7.0.0 bands is shown to flip to fail under the generic rubric, so the net direction is loosening, hence minor.

1.0.0 (2021-01-01)

Changed

• Initial historical baseline — Physically Demanding Work (RBA Code of Conduct 7.0): Earliest imported version. Worker exposure to the hazards of physically demanding tasks identified, assessed, communicated, and controlled effectively. Mandated adequate and effective risk assessment updated on Significant Change, a documented control program following the hierarchy of controls, encouragement/response to early reporting of discomfort, periodic ergonomic task analyses, and a 3-year injury trend analysis. Criterion-specific Priority/Major/Minor rating bands applied.