Current health and safety legislation requires that all employees engaged in manual handling activities must be given training in safe lifting techniques. The term manual handling is used to describe a range of activities including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving an object. The course provides participants with the knowledge and skill to conduct manual handling activities in a manner that will prevent injury. All Trainers are QQI certified as required by the Health & Safety Authority (HSA).
Description
The programme is relevant for all individuals involved in work that requires the lifting and movement of goods. It is also relevant for individuals who do static type work (sitting/standing) on the shop floor or in an office environment.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
- Understand the structure and functions of the human spine
- Understand the main causes of back injuries in the workplace
- Know the main causes of soft tissue injuries and repetitive strain
- Have learned the correct posture for lifting, carrying, sitting & standing
- Have learned the correct skills and techniques for lifting materials/equipment safely
- Be able to identify workplace hazards and reduce / eliminate the causes
- Understand Employer / Employee responsibilities in relation to health and safety
COURSE CONTENT
- General overview of health and safety issues in the workplace:
- Employers’ responsibility
- Employees’ responsibility
- Manual Handling: Introduction and Definition
- Structure and Function of the Human Spine
- Causes of Back Injuries
- Prevention of Back Injuries
- Ergonomic Aspects of Manual Handling
- Dynamic and Static Work
- Risks and Hazards
- Lifting Skills: Theory and Practice
- Correct Lifting Techniques & Demonstration
- Trainee Practice & Correction
- Reducing manual handling injuries
- Workplace Hazards
- Hazard / identification / elimination
- Housekeeping / Environment Factors
- Current Legislation – Key Responsibilities
- Course review and Assessment quiz
