Support for your business - APHIRM toolkit

About the toolkit

Developed by La Trobe University, APHIRM stands for A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Management. It's a free, cloud-based toolkit that helps employers manage hazardous manual handling and other factors that can cause MSDs.

About Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

MSDs are the most common type of workplace injuries. They can include:

• sprains and strains
• back injuries
• soft-tissue injuries to the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs
• soft-tissue hernias
• chronic pain

Hazardous manual handling is the most common cause of MSDs. When combined with other factors, the risk of MSDs increases. This includes environmental and psychosocial factors.

Environmental factors are things like:

• vibration
• heat
• humidity
• cold and wind
• slippery and/or uneven floor surfaces
• obstructions
• poor lighting

Psychosocial factors are things like:

• work demands, including workload and the pace of work
• low levels of control over work
• poor levels of resourcing
• poor levels of support by supervisors, managers and colleagues

How the APHIRM toolkit can help

Employers need to take action to eliminate or reduce the risk of MSDs.

The APHIRM toolkit includes resources to:

• identify the hazards in the workplace that increase the risk of MSDs
• engage employees in the risk management process
• design actions that address specific hazards
• monitor progress and review outcomes.

The toolkit is designed for occupational health and safety professionals. It encourages input from employees and support from managers.

Secure and confidential

All information entered in the toolkit is stored securely. All data is de-identified and is not shared with WorkSafe. La Trobe University manages personal information in accordance with the La Trobe University Privacy Policy and Procedure. De-identified data may be used to support ongoing research and educational purposes.

Employers should use the APHIRM toolkit alongside WorkSafe's guidance on hazardous manual handling and MSDs.