Manual Handling - College Certified (ERC)
Manual handling is defined by current regulations as the transport or support of a load by hand or bodily force. This includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or transporting.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) legislation state that an employer must:
- Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
- Assess the risk of injury from any manual handling task that cannot be avoided
- Reduce the risk of injury from manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
What You Will Learn
On the course you will learn to assess the risks involved in Manual handling and use the right action to ensure your safety and that of othersThese will include:
- Plan the lift and carefully consider whether additional lifting aids are needed. A manual handling risk assessment may also be required at this stage.
- Reduce the distance of the lift where possible
- Map out your route and remove any objections that may cause an obstruction
- Wear suitable clothing that doesn't threaten to obstruct the lift
- Ensure you have a good grip on the load, whether lifting, pushing or pulling
- Ensure the person handling the load has completed adequate training
- Know your limits and be confident to ask for help if needed.
