Which Industries Should Undertake A Manual Handling Course?
All workplaces throughout the Ireland & the UK have different requirements for their members of staff, and more often than not, employers will require their team to undertake specific training courses. While in each industry the courses required will differ, it is also likely that there will be a few courses that overlap across a vast range of different industries. One of these training courses is a manual handling course.
Lifting, lowering, carrying/moving, pushing and pulling loads by hand is something that almost everyone regularly does, no matter what their line of work is. For this reason, it is more important than employers may realise to ensure that their employees are adequately trained. Unfortunately, incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work, and even if you’re not in an industry that you would typically associate with a course of this kind, it may be worthwhile undertaking a manual handling course. Below is a list of different sectors that would benefit from doing so.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is incredibly vast, and you can almost guarantee that all areas within this industry will benefit from a manual handling course. It doesn’t matter what is being manufactured; many members of staff throughout a production process will likely use the skills and knowledge provided by this course frequently.
Healthcare
Within the healthcare industry, many employees frequently move heavy loads every day while at work. A lot of equipment is used within this particular industry that is required to be portable, and it is often members of staff who will move this equipment daily. Of course, within the healthcare industry, safe patient handling is also incredibly important too.
Education
Throughout the whole of the education industry, manual handling is relevant, and members of staff will require appropriate training. From moving classroom furniture to using storerooms, simple everyday activities can cause injury if proper technique and practice aren’t followed. While it may not be the first industry to come to mind, it is still one that will benefit.
Hospitality
Again, many workers in the hospitality industry, especially those who work in restaurants and bars, should undertake a manual handling course to ensure that they are carrying out various tasks at work correctly. Many in this industry spend the whole of their working day on their feet too, so avoiding injury is essential.
Retail
The retail industry is more physically demanding than people initially realise, and the vast majority of employees working in this industry will be required to do things such as moving stock regularly. Therefore, they will benefit from a manual handling course, and this isn’t an industry that should be forgotten in this regard.
All office workers
While this isn’t technically an industry, a lot of office and admin workers will likely find a manual handling course beneficial no matter what industry they fall under. It is easy to be overlooked, but something as simple as moving a box of paper, if done incorrectly, can cause injury and therefore, it is worthwhile getting your employees to undertake this course.
Booking your team onto a manual handling course
Ultimately, almost all industries can benefit from undertaking this course, and if you haven’t even considered a manual handling course for your team before, it is worthwhile doing so now. There is no denying that it is incredibly beneficial to do so and the next time your employees have to lift, lower, carry/move, push or pull a load; you will thank yourself for ensuring that they have the training required to do this correctly.
When searching for somewhere for your employees to undertake a manual handling course, be sure to visit the Phoenix STS website today. We can provide you with a manual handling course that can be tailored to suit your workplace. You can trust that our experienced team will deliver your employees with the knowledge and skills required to both assess and lift loads within their capabilities to minimise the risk of injury. If you have any questions at all about this course or you’d like to book your team onto the course, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
