Manual Handling Training – When Is It Required in Ireland?

In Regulation 68 of the General Application Regulations 2007, manual handling is defined as “activities where the characteristics of the load pose a risk and the ergonomic conditions of the activity are unfavourable”.

The law requires companies to provide manual handling training to employees who perform these tasks regularly.

The training is meant to prevent employees from getting hurt or injured at work when doing handling tasks such as lifting, pulling, pushing, or moving loads.

Contrary to popular belief, a manual handling training course is not merely about teaching employees how to lift heavy loads. The main goal is to equip them with the proper knowledge and techniques to minimise and prevent accidents when they do manual handling tasks.

Who Needs Manual Handling Training?

Everyone who is exposed to manual handling tasks should attend this kind of training. This includes people who work in factories, warehouses, manufacturing plants, stores, farms and industrial sites, amongst others.

To clarify:

This course is not mandatory for all employees in the aforementioned industries. It is only required for those who are at risk of getting hurt or injured while doing activities which involve lifting, pulling, pushing and moving heavy items.

According to the HSA, a third of workplace injuries in Ireland are due to manual handling tasks. Moreover, these kinds of injuries are the top cause of work disability.

How do you assess if the manual handling tasks in your workplace involve risks?

If lifting or moving loads cannot be done with relative ease, then the employee doing it is more likely to get hurt or injured. Moreover, if the tasks involve repeatedly moving or lifting an object, this can put a strain on the body and increase the risk of hazard.

To determine which manual handling tasks can potentially hurt or injure employees, the HSA has a risk assessment process you can follow.

What to Expect from a Manual Handling Training?

The course teaches students the definition of manual handling according to the law as well as existing workplace safety regulations.

It also briefly touches on the human anatomy, particularly the muscular system and how these body parts can get affected when manually handling heavy loads.

Moreover, it teaches employees how to identify hazards related to manual handling. The course equips them with the information needed to properly conduct a risk assessment on any task related to manual handling and identify the proper solution to every situation.

Lastly, the course arms them with the proper techniques for lifting, pushing, pulling and moving objects. It teaches them how to identify machines or aids that can be used in the workplace to lessen or avoid injuries.

Choose the Best Manual Handling Training Course in Ireland

Several institutions offer manual handling training in Dublin and all across Ireland. But not all these companies offer high-quality programmes.

If you want your employees to get the best training, pick a reputable provider – one that is known for offering a comprehensive and well-designed course.

To find a trusted provider of manual handling training in Ireland, you have to research. Use the Internet to gather information on the centres on your shortlist. Look for reviews or testimonials from previous clients on the company’s website or online business directories.

The reviews from those who have taken the course are going to give you an idea on the quality of their training course and their customer service.

Find out if the programme is comprehensive and taught by a qualified professional. More importantly, determine if there is a certificate provided at the end of the course.

Are you looking for a top-rated manual handling training course in Ireland? iSafe is the country’s leading provider of health & safety training programmes. Call us now on +35342 941 9900 or +35385 124 5555 to enrol in our course!