Did you know that manual handling accidents cause more than one in three of all of the accidents reported every year to safety authorities? Besides the chance of severe accidents, hundreds of thousands of people suffer from disorders of the neck, limbs, or simple that were caused or aggravated because of manual work.
A proper course from a manual handling trainer can reduce the risk of accidents and comply with safety regulations.
Why look for a certified manual handling trainer
All companies want to avoid fines, penalties, and bad press because they did not comply with safety regulations. Keeping employees healthy also helps reduce turnover, improves productivity, and helps support good morale. Naturally, you will want to hire a manual handling trainer who understands how to help employees avoid injuries while keeping supplies and inventory free from damage.
A certified trainer will have earned their certification only after meeting high standards. They must demonstrate that they understand the material, and they must also demonstrate that they have the ability to communicate it to your employees. They can also help your people understand how to undergo risk assessments and ensure that you can put the right measures in place to minimize risks.
Make sure that you ask about the certifications that trainers have to ensure they are in compliance with regulations and prove that the training that you will invest in will help you and your people.
At the completion of these certified courses, you will get your own certifications for completing the class. You can display these certificates publicly, and you can also use them to prove that you did your part to comply with safety regulations.
Who should take manual handling training?
These courses have been developed for various kinds of employees who may be directly involved in manual handling or who supervises these workers. This includes any transportation of loads by lifting up, putting down, pulling, pushing, or carrying by hand.
Some examples of the kinds of workers who should take this course include:
* Staff in factories and warehouses
* Farm and non-farm manual labor
* Vehicle loaders and unloaders
* Office workers and delivery drivers
* Supervisory staff
What do you need to comply with regulations for manual handling?
Regulations require an employer to make certain that their employees get trained to lift and carry loads in a safe way. So far as possible, employers should try to avoid as much manual handling as they can do in a practical way. If this kind of work needs to get done, then the employer must make sure that employees know how to do it in the safest way.
Other regulations require an employer to give their workers credible safety training and information. If unique situations should arise, employers may also need to supplement basic training. The information should first focus on preventing both acute and chronic injuries.
By using certified trainers, employers can demonstrate that they have complied with these regulations to the extent of their abilities. Employees and even the public also appreciate employers who take steps to protect their employees, and that may even be an even better reason to hire certified trainers and make sure all employees get a chance to attend training.
How long does certified training for manual handling take?
This training does not have to take long, and it should be completed within one to two hours. The length of the course can depend upon the occupation and any specific requirements the employer might have. You may be able to schedule this training live or have your employees take online video courses.
Keep your employees safe with certified manual training
Of course, the best reason to make sure your employees know how to do their job safely is that you want to protect them. Healthy workers are generally happier and more productive employees. You can also avoid the possibility of poor press and turnover by avoiding accidents and keeping people on the job.
Of course, you also don’t want to risk getting slapped with a fine or other penalties because you were out of compliance. Loss of productivity, poor productivity, and government fines will cost your organization a lot more money than certified manual handling training would have.