Basic Manual Handling

Background to the course

HSE statistics for industrial accidents reported each year show that manual handling, lifting and carrying of loads cause the majority of “lost-time” injuries, which are those resulting in an employee being absent from work for more than three days.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 give employers guidance on the measures that should be taken to avoid injuries resulting from manual handling at work.

This course has been produced for those employees whose time away from work is strictly limited, to provide them with the basic legal requirements and the practical application of knowledge and techniques of manual handling.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who undertakes manual handling operations, or is responsible for others that do so, and requires a short practical introduction to the legal aspects, the theory and the practical techniques for application at work.

Course Objectives

The main aim of the course is to provide course members with the basic information and techniques they require to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others from manual handling at work.

At the end of this short course, the members will:

• Have a working knowledge of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations
• Be able to assess the risks in manual handling operations that they undertake
• Be aware of the causes of manual handling injury and the importance of good posture and technique in reducing such injuries
• Understand the basic principles of correct manual handling
• Be able to apply appropriate basic manual handling techniques

Course Content

Including, but not necessarily restricted to:

• Assessment of risk in manual handling operations
• Overview of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• Causes of back pain and the importance of good posture and technique
• Principles and techniques of correct manual handling

Course Structure and Delivery Methods

An assessed half-day course, consisting of short lectures, discussions demonstrations, individual and group exercises. Course members will undertake a multiple choice test and practical assessment, successful of which will lead to the award of EPIC Certificate of Achievement.