Approximately 1 in 3 workplace accidents result from manual handling related injuries and inexperienced employees often being at the greatest risk. Whether onsite or in offices these injuries can be avoided or minimised with appropriate training. Good posture and lifting techniques can help reduce the risks. Evidence also suggests workplace changes can also be effective strategy to minimise injuries.
Manual Handling Training Benefits – Once hazards are identified the risks must be assessed. Risk factors that are most common include the type of work, the layout of the workspace, the weight and the location of the object for heavy lifting tasks the nature of the task, for example if it’s a repetitive task, or awkward loads. Once the risk has been assessed it must be reduced, or eliminated altogether.
The back is particularly vulnerable to manual handling injuries. Preventative strategies to minimise the incidence of lower back injuries are easily adaptable to most, if not all, workplaces. Simple steps that can be taken include warming up cold muscles with gentle stretches before performing any manual tasks, correct technique when lifting and carrying loads especially if they weigh more than 10 kg, using mechanical aids whenever possible, taking frequent breaks and exercising regularly outside of work to strengthen muscles and ligaments and also to improve fitness.
Here at ABILITY GROUP / HEALTH ABILITY we place emphasis on preventing workplace injuries and in turn reducing the amount of work related injuries and claims.
Benefits include:
- less injuries
- enhanced worker productivity and energy
- greater employee engagement
- reduced workers compensation claims
If you need held and would like a Manual Training Program tailored to your workplace/s, contact ABILITY GROUP to discuss.