Gascoigne Training & Assessment

Manual Handling

Manual handling means using the human body to exert force to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, move, hold or restrain any object or person. Some examples include handling patients or live animals, and carrying or pushing heavy objects. Incorrect manual handling can lead to many serious conditions, including muscle sprains and strains, abdominal hernias, back injuries and soft-tissue injuries to the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs. These conditions are known as musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.

Manual handling is the biggest cause of injuries in the workplace each year and thousands of workers are injured doing manual handling tasks that are unsafe. Injuries can be short-term or in some instances, debilitating long-term conditions that can severely affect a person’s quality of life. The longer manual handling tasks are done, the greater the likelihood of an injury.

Gascoigne Training and Assessment conduct manual handling training as one of its OHS courses. The course has been designed to provide participants with a knowledge of manual handling and how to conduct an actual Manual Handling Risk Assessment.

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

• Describe what is Manual Handling.
• Understand the requirements of the Manual Handling Regulations and Compliance Code.
• Understand the effects of Manual Handling injuries, value of and the need for correct Manual Handling practices.
• Understand the basic anatomy and function of the spine.
• Understand how to conduct a Manual Handling Risk Assessment.

This course satisfies the OHS Regulations and legal duties on employers for the control of risks associated with hazardous manual handling.