Musculoskeletal problems, including back pain/injury, are the second top reason for sickness absence in the University.

Manual handling activities at work such as moving items by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling can cause injury to people’s backs, necks and joints.

There is evidence that, as well as manual handling, heavy manual labour, awkward postures and a recent or existing injury are all risk factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Some MSD can be very disabling and debilitating.

Next Tuesday 22nd October, the Health and Safety Service will be facilitating a half-day training course where participants will learn how to carry out a  Manual Handling Risk Assessment (see further details below).

There still are places available for those of you who need to risk assess manual handling tasks. You can book your place via Core Portal.

About the training

Who should attend? Managers and risk assessors in areas where staff are likely to move/handle loads (i.e. inanimate objects). People who are not expected to risk assess manual handling tasks should not attend.

Aim: to equip you with the knowledge and skills to assess manual handling tasks with the aim to minimise the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).

Learning objectives: by the end of the training you will have a greater appreciation of the risk factors associated with MSD. You will also be familiar with the use of risk assessment tools such as the HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) and Risk Assessment for Pushing and Pulling (RAPP).

Homework. It’s recommended that you have passed the online manual handling course before booking a place on the Manual Handling Risk Assessment Training. Additionally, having attended the SHU generic risk assessment training course will be helpful for you as well.

If you have any further questions, please contact Javier Gaspar Marichal on jag807@exchange.shu.ac.uk