Manual Handling

A practical guide to manual handing. No matter what job we have from time to time we all have to move or lift something. Includes sections on risk assessment as well as basic lifting, moving and lowering techniques.

Injuries and health issues caused by poor manual handling are one of the main reasons for employee absences from work. However, many of these injuries can be avoided if the appropriate steps are taken and staff are properly trained in basic manual handling techniques. This course is designed to provide employees with practical advice on how to safely and correctly move a variety of workplace loads.

Audience

This practical course is aimed at organisations who need to train their staff in correct manual handling techniques. It is relevant to employees who regularly move loads around a workshop or factory as well as employees who are occasionally required to move objects in an office environment.

Learning Outcomes

Understand what is meant by manual handling
Identify the wide range of manual handling tasks we may need to carry out in the workplace
Awareness of the injuries and long term damage that can result from incorrect manual handling techniques
Knowledge of how to assess the potential risks before attempting a manual handling task
Awareness of how to reduce the risks
Understand the safest ways to lift and lower an object
Understand the safest ways to move or carry an object

Assessment

An online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. The learner must correctly answer 8 multiple choice questions.

Course Outline

Introduction
MSD Injuries
Assessing the Risks
Reducing the Risks
1. Avoiding manual handling
2. Making the load safe and manageable
3. Responding to the environment
4. Proper training
Basic Lifting and Lowering
Principles of Safe Lifting
1. Plan the lift
2. Preparing to lift
3. Lifting manoeuvre
4. Moving the load
5. Lowering
Assessment Questions