Lighten the load
September 1st 2007

The main theme for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, 22-26 October, is 'Lighten the Load'. UK provider of first aid training in the work place, The British Red Cross is campaigning to reduce injuries caused by improper moving and handling practices at work

The number of Britons suffering injuries through work related moving and handling practices has continued to increase virtually every year since 1999 according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures.

The HSE estimates show that moving and handling related injuries are the most common form of injury and account for some 41% of long term injuries. Such injuries are seen as a big burden on companies in terms of compensation, sick pay and lost man-hours.

Raising awareness "The British Red Cross is addressing the problem of moving and handling injuries by encouraging managers, especially of offices, warehouses, hospitals, nursing homes and retail outlets to be more aware of the importance of training their staff," explains Amanda Jenkins of The British Red Cross.

"During European Week for Safety and Health at Work, which concentrates on the theme of 'lighten the load', the British Red Cross has put on extra courses on moving and handling, to teach employees the correct procedures for lifting and handling.

"Research suggests that too many office, care homes or shop-based staff are injuring themselves, particularly their backs. The TUC estimates that 4.9 million working days are lost a year from workrelated back pain which is as a result costing the country a fortune." Despite this, a lot of work related back pain is avoidable. Training in correct moving and handling skills can really help to reduce back injuries. Unfortunately too many staff who try to move office equipment, boxes, furniture and similar items have not been taught the correct techniques.

In fact, explains Jenkins: "Most back injuries at work are preventable – just not enough is being done to prevent them " A moving and handling course can help avoid unnecessary pain, injury and money.

The British Red Cross itself offers a 4 hour course which gives an introduction to moving and handling techniques. The 4 hour moving and handling course is available at selected venues throughout the UK and as an in-company option, if required, for a group of six or more staff.

To help with larger groups or organisations operating on several sites, the British Red Cross also offers a special key account service to make administration easier.

Who should be trained? Anyone who is involved in the moving or handling of objects. This course is particularly important for people who need to handle objects or lift people as part of their job including those who work in the following areas: warehouses, post offices, retail, logistics, libraries, IT, childcare, hotels & leisure, gardening, care homes, packaging, agriculture, construction, refuse and undertaking.

Course requirements A good course should include elements such as understanding your back, anatomy and physiology, an introduction to ergonomics and biomechanics of movement to moving, handling and the law and your duty of care and risk assessment.

Courses should also cover how to help move people, wheelchair handling and the manager's role in risk assessments for handling.

"Teaching people how to move equipment correctly can reduce the incidence of back and other related injuries dramatically. Not only is this a businesses responsibility as a caring employer, but it can also save far more than the cost of training", concludes Jenkins.