Poor manual handling practices are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the UK. In fact, manual handling injuries account for 17% of all non-fatal injuries at work (view source). These injuries often involve the back, shoulders, and upper limbs, and can have long-term consequences for both employees and employers.
Why Manual Handling Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Whether your staff are lifting heavy boxes in a warehouse or moving items around an office, poor technique can result in serious injury. Back injuries, in particular, are closely linked with long-term inactivity, stress, and even depression post-injury, affecting both the individual’s quality of life and the overall morale within your team.
Beyond the personal impact, these injuries directly affect business performance. Staff absences lead to reduced productivity, increased pressure on remaining team members, and costly temporary cover. Not to mention the potential legal and insurance implications if your business is found to be non-compliant with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
What Are the Financial Risks?
Manual handling-related absences and compensation claims can have a significant financial impact. It’s estimated that 33.7 million working days are lost each year due to work-related illness and workplace injury, a large portion of which stems from poor manual handling.
For employers, the cost doesn’t stop at time off. You may face:
-
Higher insurance premiums
-
Legal fees and compensation claims
-
Productivity loss
-
Damage to reputation
How to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries
The good news? These risks are largely preventable with the right training and awareness. At 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, we provide comprehensive manual handling training courses across the UK, designed to give your employees the skills and knowledge they need to work safely and confidently.
Our training includes:
-
Correct lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling techniques.
-
Understanding how the human body (especially the spine) works.
-
Injury prevention strategies tailored to your working environment.
-
Risk assessments.
-
Real-world practical sessions.
-
Legal compliance.
We offer both inanimate object handling courses (ideal for warehouses, offices, supermarkets) and people moving courses (designed for care homes, hospitals, and education settings). Courses can be delivered at your premises or at our training centres, depending on what suits your operation.
Looking For Your Training Partner?
Don’t wait until an injury happens. Investing in manual handling training today helps protect your team, boost morale, and minimise costs. Plus, it shows your commitment to health and safety compliance and your duty of care as an employer.
Contact 1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy to book your Manual Handling Training Course or to find out more about how we can tailor a programme to meet your needs.
