Manual Handling Training For The Workplace

Manual handling is the most common cause of injury in Australia. $8 billion in worker’s compensation premiums were paid by Australian Employers in the 2005-06 financial year.*

Manual handling (now manual tasks 2010) means more than just lifting or carrying something. The term ‘manual tasks’ is used to describe a range of activities including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining an object, animal or person. This means that all of your employees are exposed to and are at risk of manual handling injuries.

Australian WHS legislation requires employers to identify, assess and control workplace hazards. One of these hazards is the risk of injury caused by manual handling (tasks). The national standard for manual handling (tasks) requires that all tasks in your workplace which involve manual handling (tasks) are identified and that the risk of injury is assessed. Where there is risk of injury, suitable ‘control measures’ must be introduced. Manual handling (task) training is one such control measure.

 

About Our Courses

All our manual handling training programs are written using evidence based material and the most up to date Australian Legislation. Corporate Work Health Australia’s training team are fully qualified Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Exercise Physiologists who pride themselves on delivering effective, easy to understand, ‘jargon’ free training, best suited for up to 12 staff members.

Corporate Work Health Australia brings a wealth of experience of working across a broad spectrum of both public and private sectors of industry offering a full and varied portfolio of services aimed at reducing the costs associated with musculoskeletal injury.

 

Benefits To The Company

  • Control and minimise the costs of workplace injuries from manual handling (tasks)
  • Reductions in back injuries, shoulder injuries and repetitive injuries
  • Comply with workplace health and safety legislation to provide a safe workplace
  • Improve worker’s understanding of the risk assessment and risk control processes
  • Increase the participative approach to reducing manual tasks risk factors and workplace safety culture
  • Decreased absenteeism & increased productivity
  • Reduced exposure to health and safety risk

 

Our Courses

Training Objectives of Both Manual Handling Courses Include:

  • Briefly define manual handling and the need for training
  • Discuss the research findings surrounding manual handling training, including what training should include
  • Discuss common manual handling tasks and the related issues relevant to the workplace
  • Explain in simple terms the basic anatomy and biomechanics of the body and how manual tasks injuries occur
  • Define cumulative strain and relate this to one’s work roles
  • Discuss worker’s legislative duties, participation and consultation
  • Define manual tasks risk factors – what is a hazardous manual task?
  • Educate workers on simple risk assessment strategies including the hierarchy of control
  • Educate workers on incorrect movement patterns, the semi-squat and leg lift techniques
  • Educate workers on twisting and turning, pushing and pulling and team lifting
  • Introduce self-application of the principles of hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures for common manual handling tasks
  • Workers to know the limits of their competence and identify when it is unsafe to continue with a task and when professional advice/guidance should be sought
  • Answer any further questions related to manual tasks in the workplace

 

1.5 hour Manual Handling Training ‘Direct to the Workforce’ Practical Skills Course

Who: This manual handling training course is designed for the office worker and allows our consultant to come to the workplace and train groups of up to 12 office workers on how to identify, reduce and complete manual tasks safely within their work environment.

Why: Manual handling training for the office worker enables the worker to be educated on manual tasks risk factors, and practice simple manual handling tasks specifically to their role. An often underestimated source of manual handling injuries are the lighter, repetitive tasks often found in the office.

 

2.5 hour Customised Manual Handling Training ‘Direct to the Workforce’ Practical Skills Course

Who: Companies looking to create and deliver industry specific manual handling training to workers in their industry. This manual handling training course is designed for the worker who completes manual tasks on a daily basis. It involves a two step process (initial site visit and design, followed by training delivery) allowing a course to be delivered which is customised to specific workplace tasks, hazards, risk assessment tools and control measures. This allows our consultant to come to the workplace with a course designed specifically for your company and train groups of up to 12 workers on how to identify, reduce and complete manual handling safely within their work environment.

Why: Manual handling training specific to your industry enables the worker to practice common manual handling tasks specific to their role. A review of the workplace prior to the manual handling training allows us to design a tailored manual handling course that meets your company needs. Theoretical and practical training is delivered specifically to your industry.

Includes:

  • Onsite workplace viewing and consultation, including photographs and video of core workplace manual handling (tasks)
  • Manual handling training program design
  • Delivery of 2.5 Hour manual handling training with theoretical and practical components designed specifically for your industry
  • Step-by-step practice of common manual handling tasks in the workplace

Find out more or book a course by emailing admin@corporateworkhealth.com or calling 1300 951 519.

This blog post was written by osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics. The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation. The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation. To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.