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Manual handling injuries in the workplace generally suffer from poor public relations because
musculoskeletal injuries tend to happen bit-by-bit. They don't have the sudden impact or shock
value of a torn limb or deep gash, but they can be every bit as debilitating.
Manual handling injuries are crippling the Australian health care system with an estimated $20
billion of claims costs for serious injuries annually.
The emotional and financial consequences to the individual can also be severe. It can also have
the ripple effect, impacting on family and friends.
So what is Manual Handling? It is any activity that requires force to lift, pull, push, carry,
restrain or move an object or person. Tasks that most of us perform everyday. Therefore,
essentially all workers, in any workplace are at risk of a manual handling related injury, no
matter how minimal they believe their work to be.
Manual handling injuries, illnesses and other diseases can occur suddenly or over a long period
of time. Common causes include:
Incorrect lifting or techniques
Bending or reaching for items incorrectly
Slouched sitting or incorrect posture
Twisting or jerking movements
A lack of appropriate rest
Obesity or poor nutrition
Stressful working conditions and living habits
Injuries resulting from poor work practices include; muscle sprains and strains, damaged
ligaments and discs in the back, soft tissue damage to nerves and tendons in the wrists, arms,
shoulders, neck and legs, abdominal hernias and chronic pain.
Other common names for these injuries include RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury, Occupational
Overuse Syndrome, Cumulative Trauma Disorder and so on.
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In the past there were limits placed on the weights woman and young males could lift. But this
did little to reduce the injuries suffered by workers.
It is essential for organisations to have an effective training program in place that aims to
improve the safety of manual handling tasks performed in the workplace. In fact, it is law that
employers and managers provide a safe workplace, and all the relevant information, instruction
and training to ensure that employees are aware of how to work safely and their own obligations.
Training should involve employees looking at the tasks performed in their workplace, and
thinking about the possible risks associated with performing those tasks. Ways in which the risks
can be reduced or eliminated should then be discussed.
Employees should also find out; Is there a procedure in place for dealing with manual handling
problems? Are there mechanical aids available to assist with lifting? Is there a procedure in place
for maintaining these mechanical aids or training on their use?
However an organisation conducts their training, whether it's internal or they outsource to a
professional, whether it's one-on-one or group training, the type of training resources used, the
most important thing is, the training needs to be engaging, relevant and appropriate to the target
audience. If the message isn't communicated effectively, and it is not remembered, then one
could rightfully ask, 'what's the point?'