What You Could Gain
Manual handling refers to any task that involves lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects. These activities are a normal part of many jobs, but they can also pose a big risk to the health of employees. That’s why accessing the best manual handling courses London has to offer is vital. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are the Risks of Poor Manual Handling Techniques?
Carrying out manual handling tasks incorrectly can lead to problems such as back pain, pulled muscles and repetitive strain injuries. Not only are these very painful and debilitating for the person suffering the injury, but the time off work that they require means that productivity can be affected. So, everyone loses out!
How Training Helps
The good news is, many of these injuries can be prevented through proper manual handling training. A good training course should cover the following:
- Safe lifting techniques: Course attendees should be taught how to lift objects safely, using their legs rather than their backs. They should also be shown how to keep the object close to their bodies and avoid twisting or bending at the waist.
- Risk assessment: Before undertaking any manual handling task, your team members should be trained to assess the risks that could be involved. This includes identifying factors such as the weight of the load and other risk factors such as uneven ground.
- Ergonomics: Good ergonomic design can reduce the physical demands of manual handling tasks. Delegates should be shown how to adjust their workstations, chairs and equipment to minimise strain and improve comfort.
Choosing a Great Training Provider
When selecting a manual handling training provider, it’s important to choose one that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality training to other delegates in your sector. While a manual handling course will have a set outline, every workplace is unique, and your training provider should be able to address any concerns that are specific to your team.
Another thing to look out for is who is carrying out the training. A course instructor should have extensive experience in manual handling and be familiar with the latest regulations, along with any new research. Your team should also have the opportunity to put their newfound skills to good use by practising safe manual handling under careful supervision. After all, theory will only help so much! Hands-on training is the only way to know if you are carrying out tasks correctly – and be given the chance to fix any mistakes right away. This will allow them to form good habits right from the start.
Your Next Steps
Manual handling training is essential for workers in a wide range of industries. Now you can see how much your team could be set to gain from a course, why not get in touch with a trusted provider today? You’ll certainly thank yourself for it!
