Manual Handling Courses in Ireland: What Employers Need to Know

A company, regardless of its size, is required under Irish laws to put in place measures that can minimise their employees’ risk of getting injured or hurt while doing tasks.

It can be costly for companies when employees suffer from workplace accidents. These can lead to huge payouts as well as lower revenues.

When workers get injured or sick, they won’t be able to perform their tasks like they used to before the accident. Worst, they might not be able to go to work at all. These things can affect overall workforce productivity and result in a drop in revenue.

Hence, it is important to keep your employees safe and healthy not just to avoid government sanctions but also for your business to stay profitable.

When it comes to creating a safe work environment, enrolling employees in manual handling courses should be a priority for employers like you.

Why Are Manual Handling Courses Necessary?

To properly answer this question, we need to first define what manual handling is. Manual handling pertains to a wide range of activities wherein the body exerts force to handle any object. This may involve pushing, pulling, lifting, moving or carrying a load.

Improper manual handling accounts for over a third of workplace injuries based on the data gathered by the HSA. The issues can range from minor aches to debilitating musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).

Reports show that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common kinds of occupational injuries that are linked with absenteeism. Manual handling has been identified as the leading cause of MSDs amongst employees.

To minimise the risk of staff members suffering injuries because of activities involving lifting or carrying, the Government has requirements that organisations must adhere to. One of them is to provide training to staff members who perform manual handling tasks.

What Are Manual Handling Courses About?

The course teaches participants techniques they can use when doing manual handling activities to minimise their risk of getting injured. It also arms them with the knowledge they need to determine what equipment or aids they can use to perform the task with ease.

Moreover, the training equips them with the information needed to conduct a risk assessment on any manual handling activity and determine the best course of action.

Basically, a well-designed manual handling course does not just enable participants to do their task properly and safely but also turn them into safety advocates in the workplace. When potential hazards are spotted, you can trust them to come up with solutions that will mitigate the risks.

Taking the Best Manual Handling Courses in Ireland

You should not have difficulties finding a manual handling training provider in the country. Do a quick search online, and you’ll find numerous companies offering this programme. The real challenge lies in identifying which provider offers the programme that meets your employees’ needs.

It should be noted that manual handling training is not a one-size-fits-all type of programme. The training should be relevant and specific to the industry and the employees’ roles or tasks.

While the basics of manual handling are the same across different industries and activities, workers do not lift the same objects and they also do not lift them in the same manner. Moreover, workplaces have different hazards and these can’t be mitigated in the same way.

So, ensure that your chosen provider is experienced in providing manual handling training in your industry. Furthermore, the company should be known for its comprehensive and well-designed training programmes.

Aside from the quality of their course, find out if the company has excellent customer service. You most likely have a lot of work-related concerns, and you wouldn’t want to add to this by picking a provider that is difficult to deal with. So, make sure that you check out what previous clients say about the quality of their service.

In summary, ensuring that your employees undergo manual handling training can protect your business from financial losses and legal woes. But don’t enrol your employees in just any programme. Pick a course that is truly going to provide everything they need to reduce their risk of getting injured and make them do their jobs better.

Minimise work-related injuries and illnesses in your company due to improper manual handling. Enrol your employees in our sought-after manual handling courses! Call us now on 085 124 5555 or fill out our contact form now to schedule your training.