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What is manual handling?

Manual handling is defined as “any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object.”

What is the cost of poor manual handling?

Or - Why, oh Why would I spend good money on manual handling training?

Generally the tip of this cost iceberg is the cost of your Workers Compensation claims. But there is more to it than this. What about the cost of a replacement employee? Customers lost due to poor service? The brain drain from losing an experienced employee, even temporarily?

Some Stats from the Safework Australia “Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, Australia, 2015” publication:

• ”Muscular stress” accounts for 38% of workplace injuries
• 22% of serious injuries reported were back injuries, 13% were hand injuries, 10% were shoulder and 9% knee.
• The average length of time of work for a serious workplace injury is 5.4 weeks.

Why come to Upshot OT for manual handling training?

Because we researched the problems businesses have reported with their manual handling training. And fixed them.

The Biggest Reported Problem:

“We know proper manual handling is important to our staff and our business – but does it have to be so boring?? How can anyone learn anything if they are dozing off??”

The Fix:

We make sure our training is interesting, informative and engaging. Remember we take our business seriously and not ourselves.

• We do not deliver a standard training package. Every training session is specific to the requirements of that business. For example, a nursing home where staff are required to work with people is very different to a warehouse environment. 
• Prior to the training day we review the accident/incident history for that workplace.
• People do not engage in training unless they can see how it will benefit them. We take some time when doing manual handling (MH) training to put it into context and perspective, encouraging the participants to use their brains and not their bodies so they increase their chances of a long and injury-free working life. 

So what do we cover?

• The facts: Why good manual handling practices are worth getting right.
• Important biomechanical principles - 3 curves of the spine, levers and how your body works best.
• The types of injuries that can happen if folks do not pay attention to their manual handling.
• Real life Manual Handling challenges from your workplace - taking on real problems and sorting them out.
• The complete lack of financial benefits or windfalls for people who are injured at work (ie it’s not worth it!).
• Why none of us are bullet-proof
• Practical assessment and signing off the competence of participants.

How long is the course?

2 hours.

How much does it cost?

$1200 for up to 15 people in a group.   This includes pre-course information gathering, presentation and practical workshop and skills sign off.

Travel may be additional.