Do I Need To Do Accredited Manual Handling Training?
Our training department is often asked, “Do I Need To Do Accredited Manual Handling Training?” In this article, we explain what you need to consider when planning your manual handling training.
No, manual handling training does not necessarily need to be accredited, however running an accredited course is a good way to make sure that the training your employees receive is of a good standard. Awarding bodies carry out quality checks on training providers to confirm that trainers follow the guidelines and teach a set syllabus. The other advantage of accredited courses is that employees must undergo an assessment at the end of the course to test that they have understood the course content and therefore have attained a nationally recognised standard of learning.
On the other hand, a manual handling training course that is not accredited does not have to follow a set syllabus so can be tailored to your company’s exact requirements. An assessment can still be carried out to check employee understanding and in-house certificates can be awarded.
Ensure training is carried out by a competent person
If you have an employee who is competent to deliver manual handling training then you could run an in-house course.
A manual handling trainer should understand the hazards encountered when carrying out manual handling activities, the process of manual handling assessment and safe manual handling techniques. They should be able to apply this theory to your workplace and work activities and then communicate this information in a clear and informative way to your employees. This would include being able to train people practically in safe handling techniques.
Your options if you don’t have a competent person in-house
The law does put the onus on the employer to choose a training provider who is competent to deliver training. Here at Envesca, we can deliver both accredited and non-accredited training in manual handling. If you would like a bespoke course to cover specific requirements give us a call!
What a manual handling training course should cover?
Courses should be suitable for the individual, tasks and environment involved, use relevant examples, relate to what workers actually do and last long enough to cover all the relevant information. Topics covered should include:
- manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur;
- how to carry out manual handling assessments
- how to carry out safe manual handling, including good handling techniques;
- appropriate systems of work for the individual’s task and environment;
- safe use of lifting and handling aids;
- practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainee is not doing safely
If you have a question or enquiry about health and safety, please call the team on 01452 502113 or complete our enquiry form.