Ensure those involved are suitably trained
All those involved in manual handling or lifting operations where a risk assessment has identified a significant risk must have received suitable training and assessment to ensure they are able to lift in a safe and appropriate manner.
The University Safety Office provides an Introduction to Manual Handling course. This covers legal requirements, typical injuries and causes, principles of safe lifting, risk factors, practical lifting techniques, use of lifting & mechanical aids, and team lifting exercises. Anyone involved in manual handling operations where a detailed risk assessment exists should attend. There is no specific timeframe for refresher training, but this should be considered as part of the risk assessment.
Ensure assessors are suitably trained
Where a departmental manual handling assessor has been appointed, they must be trained in the process of risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls for manual handling.
The University Safety Office provides a Manual Handling Risk Assessment training course. This interactive session examines the manual handling assessment process in detail. Heads of department are expected to identify an individual to act as a manual handling assessor, who must attend this training. Any supervisor who oversees a number of differing manual handling operations that require detailed risk assessments should also attend. Newly appointed manual handling assessors should attend both the introductory and risk assessment courses, thereafter refresher training for the risk assessment course is recommended as at least once every 5 years.
Book onto a manual handling course
