Posted By PaulA Does a MIOSH with experience and working daily on matters such as manual handling, giving advice etc... allow for him/her to give training and certificate employees with manual handling training as required by Man Handling Regs? Your thoughts please. Kind regards PaulA

Posted By Ken Taylor The requirements will be for competence both in manual handling knowledge as a subject and in training. Personally, I have relied upon incorporating published training programmes or other training materials within in-house training - after having been the recipient of subject specific training myself in the past. However, when training moves from the general to the specific (eg from principles of manual handling and safe lifting to the use of specific items of equipment such as hoists we have brought in the specialists (eg from the equipment supplier).

Posted By Jeff Manion In general training and qualifications could be suitable for the individual, having knowledge and experience of the works(i.e. operations dept / office staff etc), relevant to tasks and environments involved using relevant examples. Knowing your limits of knowledge. Access to information could include: - Manual handling risk factors, How injuries occur, How to carry out safe manual handling – this includes good techniques, Appropriate and relevant systems of works – related to the individual tasks and environment, Use of aids and equipment, Practical work to allow the trainer to identify and put right anything the trainees in not doing safely. A quick selection of throughts. JM

Posted By Fornhelper Good question Paul !!! My thoughts are that any 'generalist' CMIOSH who has read up on the subject, comfortable with legislation, good practice, etc should feel confident about providing training in most aspects of health and safety and, given their status, should be able to make that judgement call for themselves. I tend to get a bit p****d off at some H & S professionals who feel that all training courses need to be 'accredited' by some body or other (unless there is a legal requirement for this of course). One 'Head of Safety' I worked for even 'bought in' Risk Assessment training from a company because it was accredited even although there were 3 MIOSH H & S professionals working within the Section !!!!! In relation to 'manual handling' I would be quite happy to carry out basic training in this area as far as the lifting of 'loads' was concerned. However I recognise my competence in relation to 'person handling' and do not feel I have the knowledge, expertise or experience to train staff in this aspect of 'manual handling'. However, I do feel OK with training staff to undertake assessments for moving and handling (load & people handling) as long as the person(s) carrying out the assessments are competent in the area they are assessing. e.g. I may train an Occupational Therapist on how to undertake a 'moving and handling' assessment even though I am not fully conversant with 'O.T. practices' (how to use slide sheet, best walking aids etc.) In my book most H&S training is about passing on information, instruction, knowledge and experience and isn't 'rocket science' (despite what some training companies would have you believe!!!) If specialist knowledge is required then we demonstrate our competence by 'bringing it in' and enhancing our skills by learning from them. FH Hope you all have a great Christmas and lang may yer lum reek Slan

Posted By Jerry Lucey Hi Paula, Whilst many of the courses leading to IOSH membership will give you all the information you will be delivering on a manual handling course, it is worth considering that as part of a manual handling course you are not only passing on knowledge but also the practical skills involved with the safe handling of loads. The manual handling 'train the trainers' course will give you the skills and confidence to deliver this training and to demonstrate and confirm the practical aspects of the course. I think I speak for many people who have delivered training when I say that the first time you deliver a course is terrifying and many people freeze or panic. On a train the trainer course this is acceptable and expected and you will get the opportunity to build up confidence and develop your training technique in a supervised and sympathetic environment. I have witnessed many who were very well qualified in health and safety go to pieces when it comes to standing up and delivering training. One of the most important things with delivering training is the course content. It is important to record the course content of any training delivered and this is particularly important with manual handling training. I have undergone health and safety training courses and manual handling courses some of which were not IOSH accredited and I would strongly recommend undergoing training that is IOSH accredited as I have found the standard to be so much higher.