Conduct Manual Tasks Safely: Thursday 13th April

Course information:

Under current legislation, employers have an obligation to manage risks to the health and safety of their workers.  This includes those risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual tasks.

Incorporating the new Code of Practice for Hazardous Manual Tasks this course is designed to prevent injuries associated with manual handling through hazard and risk identification and analysis, risk assessment and mitigation strategies and job and task review.  This course will increase awareness and provide an understanding of the complex nature of manual handling activities and teach safe manual handling techniques.

Our trainers specialise in designing and assessing workplace ergonomics and risk associated with manual handling.

Topics covered:

• Key information from occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations relating to manual tasks and national code of practice,
• Role and responsibilities of the employer and employees in relation to manual handling safety,
• Ways in which individual workers are involved in consultation about occupational health and safety,
• Reporting mechanisms required for workplace injury and compensation claims,
• Key aspects of the risk management approach to manual tasks, and
• Risk factors and potential sources of risks of hazardous manual tasks:
  – Repetition
  – Forces
  – Postures
  – Vibration
  – Systems of work
• Types of manual task activity and the types of injuries that can result,
• The relationship between the human body, and
• Risk of injury from performing manual tasks functions of the human body:
  – Basic function of the spine,
  – Body postures,
  – Types of muscles, and
  – Principles of levers.
• Manual handling techniques that support safe work practice:
  – Preparing the load/client,
  – Preparing the environment,
  – Using the stronger muscles in the legs, where possible, rather than spinal muscles,
  – Maintaining a neutral spine when lifting and carrying,
  – Using two hands to lift or carry,
  – keeping the load close to the body/centre of gravity,
  – Avoiding lifting objects above shoulder height,
  – Minimising repetitive movements,
  – Positions not held for long periods of time, and
  – Avoiding twisting by repositioning feet whilst turning.
• Types and operational features of mechanical aids, tools and equipment