The significance of Manual handling Training in UK Factories
As an employer, you have a legal obligation. Ensure your employees have adequate training in manual handling. The term manual handling means transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force.
As an employer, ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees is paramount. One critical aspect of their safety is manual handling. The lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling loads by hand or bodily force. In UK factories, manual handling training is crucial. Not only does it fulfil your legal obligations, but it also plays a pivotal role in reducing risks. this enhances workplace safety where heavy loads and diverse tasks are common.
Training Obligations and Manual Handling Operations Regulations
Under UK law, employers need to ensure that their employees are not only competent but also trained.
The Manual Handling Regulations lay out a clear hierarchy. Measures that employers must follow to prevent and manage the risks associated with manual handling:
Avoidance: The foremost principle is to avoid hazardous manual handling operations. This means exploring alternatives to manual handling whenever possible.
Risk Assessment: What if avoidance is not feasible? Employers must assess the risk of injury to workers.
Risk Reduction: The ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of injury. The risk of hazardous manual handling should be as low as reasonably practicable.
Consult and Involve Your Workforce in Training Decisions
Consulting and involving your workforce can help to manage manual handling risks. Workers and their representatives are best positioned to identify workplace risks. Their first-hand knowledge is invaluable in creating a safer work environment.
Eliminating Manual Handling
One of the most effective ways to reduce manual handling risks is by eliminating them. Removing the need to move loads whenever possible.
Here are some key considerations:
Rethinking Tasks: Evaluate whether tasks can rethink them to reduce the need for manual handling. Do you need to move this item? Or can you accomplish the task in its current location?
Direct Delivery: Directly deliver products to where they will be used. Reducing the need for manual transportation.
Automation and Mechanisation
When manual handling cannot be avoided, automation or mechanisation can reduce risks. Consider the following:
Use of Equipment: Employ materials handling equipment or mechanical aids. To eliminate or reduce identified risks. Trolleys, and electric-powered tugs, can contribute to minimising manual handling risks. At Tractive Power we have a wide range of electric tugs, pushers and trolleys. Each of these operates on battery power, eliminating the need for your employees to use their bodily force to move heavy loads.
Training: Workers should be adequately trained when using newly introduced equipment.
Failure to adhere to manual handling training can have serious consequences. Without proper training, employees are at a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These injuries can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility. Employers who neglect manual handling training may face legal repercussions. These can include fines and penalties. Impacting both individuals and the success of a business.
If you need further information on how employing new tools can reduce the risks associated with manual handling, get in touch. Or to arrange training for your employees on how to use our range of electric tugs, and battery-powered pushers, please contact a member of our team. Call us on 01538 360372 or fill our our contact form.
