Introduction – Manual Handling Training NI

Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work. It causes work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which account for over a third of all workplace injuries.

Manual handling injuries can happen anywhere people are at work – on farms, building sites, in factories, offices, warehouses, hospitals, banks, laboratories, and while making deliveries. Heavy manual labour, awkward postures, manual materials handling, and previous or existing injury are all risk factors in developing MSDs.

What should you do about it

• Consider the risks from manual handling to the health and safety of your employees – HSE guidance will help you to do this. If there are risks, the Regulations apply.
• Consult and Involve the workforce. Your employees and their representatives know first hand what the risks in the workplace are. They can probably offer practical solutions to controlling them.

The Regulations Require Employers to

• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable;
• Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided; and
• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
• Provide information, instruction and training

Training

Training is important but remember that, on its own, it can’t overcome:

• A lack of mechanical aids
• Unsuitable loads
• Bad working conditions. Training should cover
• Manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur
• How to carry out safe manual handling, including good handling technique (see ‘Good handling technique for lifting’ and ‘Good handling technique for pushing and pulling’)
• Appropriate systems of work for the individual’s tasks and environment
• Use of mechanical aids
• Practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainee is not doing safely

Available Courses