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Important: From 1 January 2012, information on this website is being reviewed and must be read in conjunction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks

Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks - PErforM

What is PErforM?

PErforM is a simple manual task risk management program based on participative ergonomics, an internationally recommended approach for reducing musculoskeletal disorders.

PErforM provides a framework to help employers engage with workers at all levels to identify, assess and control manual tasks risks within their workplace. The idea of PErforM is that the worker is the expert in performing their work tasks.

The PErforM program has been used successfully in a wide range of industries and can be applied to most types of hazardous manual tasks. However, it is not recommended for people and animal handling tasks or computer workstation assessments.

PErforM was developed jointly by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), the University of Queensland and the Curtin University of Technology.

Who has used PErforM?

PErforM has been used in a range of industries including mining, civil construction, construction related manufacturing and wholesaling, aged care and food processing.

What's in it for my organisation?

better control of manual task risks
legislative compliance
improvements in productivity
improved worker knowledge about manual tasks risks management

Getting started

Before implementing PErforM at your workplace make sure you have:

management commitment and support
identified a suitable site champion (coordinator and/or trainer)
workforce participation.

The PErforM resource manual for workplace coordinators and trainers provides a detailed overview of the PerforM program. This resource manual should be used in conjunction with the PErforM program. The PErforM resource manual provides information about:

how PErforM can be implemented within a workplace
tips for success
the type of skills required by the workplace site champion.

PErforM 'Train the trainer' workshops

PErforM 'Train the trainer' workshops provide guidance on preparing for and delivering the PErforM program.

It is highly recommended that the nominated PErforM coordinator and trainer/s attend a PErforM 'Train the trainer' workshop prior to using the PErforM resource manual and implementing PErforM at your workplace.