Does your workplace involve employees lifting, moving, or using force to carry heavy loads? If yes, the next question is, are you educating your employees on how to accomplish these manual handling jobs efficiently and safely? If the answer is no, this blog will help you understand why Manual Handling training is important.

Let’s begin with understanding what manual handling training is.

What is manual handling training?

Manual handling training is aimed at educating any employees engaged in any form of manual handling at their workplace on how to perform their tasks without risk to the health and safety of themselves or others at work. It also instructs them what to do in case of any workplace incidents.

Management can also gain from manual handling training as it advises them how to monitor the risks and hazards involved in manual handling, what should be put in place to ensure the health and safety of their employees, and the actions to be taken in case of incidents.

Why is manual handling training important?

Any job performed without relevant and efficient training can include risks. When dealing with manual handling at the workplace, it becomes even more important to provide employees with proper guidance on how to stay safe and do their jobs right efficiently.

1. Prioritise health and safety

Providing manual handling training helps businesses prioritise the health and safety of their employees. By doing so, employers can enhance their image of being a responsible employer and make their employees feel valued. Employees who feel valued and educated about safe work practices will likely perform better and continue to work at the organisation for longer periods.

2. Know the standards

Manual handling training plays an important role in educating all employees about the industry standards, their roles and responsibilities, and the right way to perform a task. Management can look after their employees and ensure the proper functioning of the machines or technology involved. Following defined standards, such as HIRAC, can help reduce many manual handling risks.

3. Maintain competitive edge

When employees follow manual handling training, they work safely and avoid common hazards, and the risk of business disruption due to manpower shortages or work shutdowns can be reduced. Keeping your employees safe and avoiding incidents can lead to maintaining a competitive advantage over rivals.

4. Knowledge about new technology

When introducing any new technology (equipment or software) to aid employees in their manual handling activities, training should be provided. This helps ensure the new technology is used efficiently and safely and assists employees with their tasks.

5. Follow compliance

All regulations encourage employers to take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees at the workplace. By providing manual handling training, an organisation not only works towards keeping its employees healthy and safe but also fulfills its manual handling compliance requirements. This can reduce non-compliance risks and costs.

What is the best way to implement manual handling awareness training at work?

Traditional manual handling training involves organising huge training events and gathering all employees in one place. Whilst this is a successful method for manual handling training, the drawback is that not all employees may be included due to leave or time restrictions.

To address this issue, companies can now provide their employees with online manual handling training. This has become an even more popular form of imparting education after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An organisation can easily contact the right online course provider and select the most suitable training plan option for them based on their requirements.

With online manual handling training, employees can easily access the training material as and when required. Advanced technology and the freedom to go through online training at their own pace can enhance the quality of the learning. We at Sentrient design and develop our online manual handling training courses keeping in mind the requirements of businesses and effective regulations for compliance.

Conclusion

Operating a business and including proper manual handling training for your employees is essential. Implementing manual handling training can ensure the health and safety of your employees as well as fulfil your business compliance requirements. To avoid facing any risks, contact us today and make the most of the online manual handling training course developed by Sentrient.

Manual Handling Awareness Training Course