Afternoon all,

I'm in the process of putting together a 1/2 day manual handling training course for my company. Whilst i don't hold a formal manual handling training qualification, i have a good general knowledge of the subject and also hold the PTLLS training qualification so feel confident in my knowledge and ability.

What i'm after is a bit of inspiration to try and make the course a bit more interesitng/interactive and avoid the dreaded death by PowerPoint scenario! Does anyone have any good suggestions...? Perhaps stuff they've experienced during courses they've attended or even delivered? So far i'm thinking...

- An actual model of the spine (rather than just relyong on PowerPoint slides)

- Some kind of model (mecano, wood etc to demonstrate leverage principles

- Boxes for practicing lifting

Many thanks in advance

Stern

I used to put a ball or somthing that will move in the box to show how the weight might shift. also how to move items that maybe stored under a table, boxes etc. you twist first into the uncomfortable position when retriving the item and then move into a normal position when moving it/sliding it on the floor to get it out.

Also used a jam donut to demonstrate how a retured disc happens when you compress  it the jam comes out just like the disc does in the spine. Plus they also got to eat the donut so they where happy.

Do'nt forget if they use trolleys etc. get hold of one and show how to use it.

All the stuff you mention is very good. My spine is called Keith after a previous boss who lacked one!

A Little Man lifting mannequin is also useful as it shows clearly the damage that poor lifting technique does to the spine. One thing that you need to make sure is that the objects that they the students practice lifting on are similar to the sorts of things that they will be lifting in real life. So if they are lifting trays of juice bottles use those or if it’s beehives get one of those.

I've come across Pristine Condition several times when auditing and have found their approach very impressive. They have a knack of making things that traditional manual handling approaches would declare as obstacles and turn them into ways of making the job easier.  I too have no affiliation to them but they are good.

I have sometimes used examples from the World's Strongest Man constest as they use good PPE etc.  Be careful which images you use though as they don't always use the technique that is in the guidance (that might surprise some people but it is true).

Edited by user 28 September 2017 09:52:15(UTC)  | Reason: spelling mistake

As part of My PTLLS training practical I chose to do it on Manual handling (it is surprising how much information you can give over in 20 minutes). We discussed the correct techniques for lifting and then moving and placing an object down. I let them think of issues relating to the Load, the task and the environment that would affect manual handling. We discussed the spine, pushing pulling, group lifting and use of equipment. I set up two boxes. One had some water filled milk bottles in it. With a sign on the outside saying hold this end to body, but place the box so the sign was against the wall. I got one of then to pick it up and turn around to the rest so they could see the sign, but they could not. Another box I had on a table, but made it so the bottom came off if lifted with a waving hand (I’m still here), to show to take care packaging may not be in good condition etc.

Lastly for a bit of fun I made them all stand in a line and like pass the parcel they had to pick a box up from the floor turn through 180 degrees and put it down with correct technique. Then the next in the line picked it up and so on. The did this while I played the hokey cokey loudly, as I said in the real world there will be all sorts of distractions and you need to be able to do this semi automatically.

Some of the group had been on “longer training sessions” but said this short sharp was good because they didn’t get bored and covered mostly what had been covered in half a day previously. Others who had never had any previous training said they hadn’t realised the extent to things you need to consider and again felt the shortness of the timing kept their attention throughout.

I’m not suggesting to do it in 20 minutes, but don’t labour on or pad out to make it neatly last half a day. Actually, trying to get the basics into 20 minutes was a bit of an eye opener when I did the exercise, and what I ended up with actually surprised me. I have been on courses which are a day long and thought to myself it could easily have been done in a quarter of the time.

Just some thoughts.

Chris

Don’t drown out your message with LEGISLATION: just because you think it is important and the management knows it is the only reason that theyare doing this, is no reason to inflict it on your staff. All it does it fill up Power Point slides.

Hi Do make sure you include the guidance from the MHO Regs. They say you need to make employees aware of the risks and also how the body becomes injured.

We also tend to concentrate on lifting boxes from the floor. A task that is infrequent in the work place.

Make sure you use a mix of activities. And with yopur slides these should never be for reading out. They are headlines to prompt questions and discussion. And when you ask questions, always ensure you do not answer them yourself. 

I also use exercises to demonstrate the risks from stooping, loads away from the body, static muscle work and lack of stability (these are the main risks in my warehouses).

For practical aspects I use what ever is around, as employees will be handling these items. I also have them move some of the office sofas about - uneven loads, trip hazards, team lifitng, TILE.

I use the FPA manual handling video, whilst it is a bit old it covers all the legal points.

Quiz at the end. 

In brief - questions, activity, video, demonstration, tips and test.