Manual handling & the law
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics suggest that lifting heavy objects in the workplace accounts for over 30,000 reported workplace injuries. That is three in ten reported injuries. As most workplace manual handling injuries resulted in over three days of sick leave, lost time to business accounts for 1.2 million working days*. This makes manual handling training essential.
The Manual Handling of Loads Regulations 1992 set out the safety measures that should be implemented by employers. Theses measures include:
- Avoiding the need for hazardous manual handling wherever possible
- Ensuring a workplace risk assessment of manual handling procedures is carried out
- Taking steps to reduce the risk level where reasonably practical
Poor manual handling techniques can cause serious harm in the form of joint strain, muscular strain and slipped discs. These injuries can be short-term and long-term. They can have serious implications for individuals. Some back injuries can be irreversible.
Manual handling training
Safety First Aid Training’s manual handling training course teaches employees how to:
- Minimise risk associated with lifting and moving heavy loads
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of manual handling
- Learn and implement correct lifting techniques
- Carry out a manual handling risk assessment
The course provides a solid grounding to improve employers and employees competence in manual handling through theoretical discussion and practical examples, allowing meaningful training for all delegates.
Call one of our Training Experts today to learn more about Manual Handling Health & Safety Training and the benefits to your business in adopting regular manual handling training.
* HSE Statistics