Workplace injuries can happen anywhere, regardless of the industry you are in.

It could be something innocuous, like a trip or slip doing daily tasks. Or it could be something more serious, like a sprain, break or crush incident whilst lifting and pushing. The more hazardous or arduous the field is, the higher the chances of a major accident.

This is why workplace health and safety is paramount. Although you’ll get basic instructions on the job, there’s always more you could and should be learning to minimise the risks.

Our Manual Handling Course (aka HLTWHS005 Conduct Manual Tasks Safely) will teach you how to do a risk assessment and exactly how to undertake safe manual handling tasks.

So first, read on to learn what the 4 sectors are that need manual handling procedures in place the most…

1. Health & Aged Care

Not surprisingly, people working in health and aged care sectors need to learn safe manual handling techniques.

It’s a physically demanding job that involves moving patients and operating equipment, so mechanical aids can be a great help.

Devices like hoists, lifters, slide sheets and transfer belts will go a long way towards reducing the risk of injury. However, these resources aren’t always readily available or can be inappropriate to use in some instances. This is why a manual handling course for healthcare workers is highly recommended.

Proper manual handling training will show you how to correctly prepare a patient and their environment, and how to use the strength in your legs rather than your spine to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. 

2. Hospitality

Another industry that involves a lot of lifting and carrying is the hospitality industry.

Jobs in this sector include hotel and restaurant managers, receptionists and housekeepers, caterers, chefs, bakers and kitchenhands, baristas, bartenders and sommeliers, event planners and coordinators, and concierge services.

Those working front-of-house have to wait on customers and clientele, and these can include manual duties like carrying clothes and luggage, serving plates and drinks, and basic cleaning. Those out the back do even more, like operating industrial kitchen equipment, carrying pots, pans and plates, stacking and washing dishes, and storing bulk goods.

These tasks can lead to a wide range of manual handling injuries or discomfort, which is why the correct training is so important. You’ll be taught how to identify hazards such as heavy items, hot items and broken items. You’ll be shown how to lift and carry properly. You’ll learn how to follow OH&S codes of practice and safe working procedures, and how to always ask for help.

3. Manufacturing & Construction

The most obvious place to get a workplace injury is on a building site or in a factory. 

Construction workers and tradies use heavy-duty machines and materials on a daily basis. They often have to carry and pass these tools up and down stairs and scaffolding too. 

Workers in warehouses and manufacturing plants are also responsible for a lot of labour-intensive tasks. This includes managing inventory, assembling and packing products, stocking shelves, operating machinery and loading and unloading trucks with crucial deliveries onboard.

If these workers know how to conduct manual tasks safely, it will make their jobs more efficient and effective. By taking a manual handling training course, they can learn about the risks in their job and educate their workmates. They’ll practice a range of lifting techniques too. Some tips include lifting objects using both hands, keeping the load close to your body, and lifting below shoulder height.

4. Retail

Another industry where muscle strains and sprains are common is the retail industry, which might be surprising to some people.

Common retail stores include shopping centres, discount stores, supermarkets, chemists, bookstores and florists – just to name a few. Customer service may not be not an overly physical job, but it also isn’t as sedentary as an office job.

Staff often spend prolonged periods of time on their feet, usually in one position. They can develop awkward postures from making repetitive, twisting movements (think scanning and bagging items at a checkout). They also move a lot of stock around.

People who work in a retail space will benefit greatly from safe manual handling practices, as they will learn how to move and stand in a way that won’t negatively affect their bodies or productivity.

Industry Wide Training’s Manual Handling Training sessions run for 2 hours on-site and are $120 per person. We issue Manual Handling certificates within 24 hours. Contact us for more information or book a session via the website!