Manual Handling Training And The Importance of Workplace Ergonomics

Manual handling involves heavy duty lifting and lowering of objects. If you are not careful, this type of manual labor can cause injury to your back or other parts of your body. Ergonomics offers ways to keep your body out of harm’s way while performing manual labor tasks set before you. By following ergonomics in the workplace you ensure that the task is completed in the safest possible way and without compromising the function of your body. Manual handling tasks can be dangerous if you don’t have proper back support. You can injure your body permanently if you do not follow particular safety methods while performing manual handling tasks. 

Manual handling requires you to pick up boxes or other heavy materials. While carrying a heavy load it is imperative that you lift up the load without straining your back. By following ergonomics you can ensure that your body is not in pain and you can fulfill your tasks with ease. Through the provision of regular health and safety training, employees are made aware of the correct steps to lifting a heavy box without injuring themselves. By watching a manual handling DVD employees can understand the lifting aids to use and the correct way to push a heavy load without putting strain on your back. Encouraging employees to push a load rather than pulling will prevent injury to their back and muscles. Correct positioning of the body is the main key to safe manual handling.

Health and safety training also involves the awareness of common manual handling injuries and what situations can cause them. By understanding why injuries occur employees will take it in their best interests to avoid these hazardous situations. Provide manual handling training to employees to ensure higher productivity and fewer employees taking leave due to injuries. Manual handling training is recommended for factory and industrial employees who regularly perform heavy duty labor tasks. This manual handling training will keep them aware of the newest ergonomic practices and allow them to take better safety precautions while working. Health and safety training should be a part of employee curriculums periodically throughout the year.   

Manual handling, hazardous chemical disposal, fire evacuation, basic first aid, hygiene, accident prevention are just some of the important issues covered during health and safety training. By providing these skills and knowledge to your employees it could mean the difference of saving a life during a crisis situation. As a boss, creating a safe environment for your employees should be one of your top most priorities. Putting up safety posters throughout the premises will help enforce the health and safety training employees receive.  Safety posters should have images and phrases that are easy to understand. Using safety posters with cartoon characters such as from The Simpsons will help generate interest in safety and reduce high risk situations. Investing in ergonomic equipment should be your next step after providing manual handling training. Ergonomic equipment will help maintain quality positioning and the posture of employees while they work. Now that you have understood the importance of manual handling training you can browse online for training material, booklets, safety posters, DVDs, e-learning programs to help initiate this in your workplace.