Who needs to do manual handling training?

Manual Handling Training is growing in popularity for both employers and employees because it can prevent many workplace injuries.

Many people in many different industries use their bodies at work every day to perform all sorts of physical tasks. But most of us are usually not trained in how to do these tasks in the best possible way to ensure we don't hurt ourselves. We just go ahead and do it.

Think of all the manual handling tasks people do in their jobs all the time. From people in retail lifting boxes down from shelves, to nurses and aged care workers lifting and assisting patients, to workers in warehouses and factories, lifting all sorts of things. Truckies unloading deliveries. Tradies and labourers on building sites carrying heavy loads. Even office workers having to get heavy boxes of files from a cupboard.

We all get trained in all sorts of things in our lives, but knowing how to lift, carry and put down things in a way that doesn't hurt our backs, necks, arms, shoulders etc, is not necessarily one of them. So most people who do perform manual handling tasks are often untrained.

The result is billions of dollars of injury claims every year. Worse is the amount of people who are permanently injured each year, unable to every work again or even enjoy life because they have ruined their back or neck or arms or legs. Being in constant pain is no way to live.

That's why Manual Handling training is so important to help people know how to carry out manual tasks in a way that does not harm them physically.

It has been developed to show people the best and safest ways to perform various common physical actions without injuring themselves or others.

Manual handling training covers a number of different aspects for different industries and professions but overall there are many common factors that everyone in manual handling training needs to know. Factors such as:

• Recognising which manual tasks may involve risk to yourself and others

• Identifying what are the actual risk factors that make the task hazardous

• Determining the nature and extent of the risk

• Understanding and following your organisation’s procedures for controlling hazardous tasks

• Organising workplace layouts, tasks and workflow appropriate to those procedures

• Preparing and packaging loads so that they are safer and easier to move

• Knowing how to select and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Ensuring you know a task is within your personal capabilities

• Using the appropriate posture and handling technique to reduce muscle load

• Selecting and knowing how to use mechanical aids and handling devices properly

• Pacing and scheduling manual handling tasks according to organisational procedures

• Identifying and reporting hazardous manual tasks to supervisors

• Knowing and using organisational procedures for reporting injuries to self and others

• Participating in workplace safety activities and contributing to improved manual handling

• Contributing to overall risk management

As you can see from this extensive list, Manual Handling Training is very comprehensive. It helps people in all sorts of industries to protect themselves and others and helps contribute to a safer working environment for everyone.

People who are well trained in manual handling are less of a risk to themselves and others!

In some industries Manual Handling Training is not compulsory. But it is strongly advised because it brings down the rate of accidents and reduces Workers Compensation claims and premiums for employers.

Of course, Manual Handling Training is understanbly compulsory for many roles in many industries. There are simply some tasks that you would not want someone carrying out if they were not trained to do so, because they would just be at too great a risk to themselves and others.

If you think you might need training in Manual Handling for your job or if your staff need training, please contact us at https://www.resultsfirstaid.com/contact

We can discuss your individual or organisational needs and provide you with tailored options that suit your needs.. As always our training is friendly, informative and easy to organise.

We look forward to helping you.