Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between manual handling and moving and handling?
People Moving & Handling, or simply Moving & Handling, are terms commonly used to refer to the Manual Handling of people. It allows us to differentiate it from the traditional usage of the term Manual Handling, which usually refers to the physical manipulation of inanimate objects and loads.
Is moving and handling training a legal requirement?
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 define manual handling as:.’
…any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force.’
Under the Manual Handling Regulations, everyone must receive proper training and understand the associated risks if their workplace requires manual handling activities.
What do the Manual Handling Operations Regulations require?
The Regulations require employers to:
■ avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, ‘so far as is reasonably practicable;
■ assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided;
■ reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, ‘so far as is reasonably practicable.
“Reasonably practicable” means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the real risk in terms of money, time or trouble.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l23.pdf
Why is moving and handling training essential?
The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Great Britain, 1974) requires
organisations to support the implementation of safe systems of work with the provision
of suitable, sufficient and relevant information, instruction, training and
Supervision.
Even in simple handling, there is a risk of staff developing
long-term cumulative strain injuries due to repetitive handling and static postures
(HSE, 2007). Training in basic handling skills provides staff with practical hands-on techniques essential for the workplace while advising delegates on the importance of understanding good posture, including the causes and prevention of injury.
Quote: National Back Exchange Standards in Manual handling 2010.
Who can attend the moving and handling theory course? How long does the training last?
The theory course is relevant for everyone in the company, not just the staff who work directly with the clients. It is roughly 4 hours in duration.
That is because every staff member should be aware of correct Moving and Handling techniques. When staff attend a course, you educate or remind them to adopt good working practices throughout their lives, not just in the work setting. With this training, staff are less likely to be off ill with an injury. You can also inform the staff of the relevant Legislation that governs staff in the workplace.
What subjects are covered in a moving and handling theory course?
My typical moving and handling theory course includes:
■ Overview of the current Legislation, Health & Safety at work Act 1974, Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992, LOLER, PUWER.
■ To understand the duties of the Employers and Employees under this Legislation.
■ Benefits of safer moving and handling.
■ Principles of manual handling and load management.
■ Understand the structure and main functions of the spine.
■ To recognise the leading cause of back pain, covering spinal awareness and musculoskeletal injuries.
■ Assessing children/young people handling needs.
■ Having a general knowledge of the risk assessment process when moving and handling people.
■ Foundation of a smooth moving and handling technique.
What do the practical courses cover? Whom are they designed for?
My practical courses are always tailored to your requirements. They may, for instance, include hoisting, standing transfers, and the use of various aids as appropriate to your setting.
I will discuss the training requirements with you as well as your team and, where necessary, speak to the therapists who may be involved with the young person to understand their medical condition and abilities.
This course is for all staff required to assist in the safe moving and handling of children/young people, carers, health care professionals, and educational staff.
How often should moving and handling training be updated?
The frequency of training updates and refresher training depends on the risk assessment of the work handling activities. In situations where handling is repetitive, awkward, heavy and unpredictable, or where there are regular work-related injuries, activities should be subject to regular review and annual training.
The National Back Exchange (NBE) recommends annual training for those whose work involves handling people.
Where an organisation sets itself a review date, an early review may be required if circumstances alter, for example:
■ Additional training may be necessary if conditions change or after an organisation’s incident where someone was injured, staff/client or a near-miss. The company would refresh the employees’ training and review the safe work systems to reduce the risk of this occurring again.
■ When a new piece of equipment arrives, staff must undertake training no matter how soon it is to their training. You must re-train the staff on how to use the new piece of equipment – regardless of how different it is and amend the safe systems of work protocols. Make available the Instructions for Use manual for all equipment.
■ Where there is a legislation change or a notification from the Medical Health Regulations Authority (MHRA) that requires you to change how you do something, the company must inform all relevant employees of how the change might impact what they’ve learnt in training and amendment the written safe systems of work cascading the information to the relevant staff.
My recommendation is to print relevant manuals and have them locally available since they are frequently online; staff may be less likely to refer to them if they have to hunt for them.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency
Do you deliver In house moving and handling courses?
All the courses I offer are usually in-house courses. Where there is no suitable room available, we can discuss options.
Do you provide training at the weekends or out of regular office hours?
Yes. Absolutely. I appreciate the diverse requirements of organisations that work with young people and how training has to fit in. Hence, I can offer to train delegates at client premises after work or at weekends when required.
Do you offer minibus driver training?
I offer training for staff on the fitting and use of wheelchairs and occupant restraints. I do not offer the minibus driver training required so people can gain their D1/HGV licence.
I can train staff and transport providers to safely use wheelchair and occupant restraint systems, including school-run transport contractors. I can review staff competencies on the safe use of wheelchair restraint systems, train staff on the safe use of some of the Crelling Harness and assist the council with licensing inspections to check that providers are correctly using the correct wheelchair tie-downs.
I am a registered PATS trainer.
Seatbelts & Harnesses for Children & Adults with Special Needs – Crelling Harnesses Ltd
