Posted By Alan Spiers Training on any subject can raise much debate as it is often done to tick the box but does not automatically confirm competence or attitude and behaviour change. Formal manual handling courses often overload on theory and picking up the 'british standard empty box'and do very little to try to change people.I have spend half an hour with people discussing manual handling issues & problems and showing them a 5 minute dvd and have received excellent feedback particually from those who had experienced a half day plus course who comment it was over kill and boring.However how do we know my inspiring session actually changed attitudes & behaviour

Posted By willhiem didnt see the shp article but i did see this some time ago http://www.bmj.com/cgi/c....39463.418380.BEv1?rss=1 i myself have always been sceptical about manual handling courses, particularly the tutors, i think some one with a medical qualification is probably the best way about going about it!

Posted By Heather Collins Taff - hasn't been ignored. Try here http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...m=1&thread=34467&page=81

Posted By Jason911 My grandfather worked all his life in the fields lifting and pulling all manner of heavy machinery. He was a slim muscular man who never suffered any kind of manual handling injury. I on the other hand, who try and avoid manual labour at all costs, was recently diagnosed with a slipped disc and suffered weeks of pain and was even facing an operation at one point. I am now much better thanks for asking, but during my weeks of hobbling around the office, I was amazed by the number of people who are, or know someone affected by this condition and for so many different reasons. Years ago I attended a weeks manual handling instructors course and we train all our employees periodically accordingly, but I have to admit that during our busy work schedules, people rarely lift as they should. When I discussed this with my consultant and asked his opinion as to how I could have caused it, he shrugged his shoulders and explained that nobody really understands backs, but injury in the vast majority of cases occurs over many years of bad posture, lifting, driving and being overweight to name but a few. I still think that employees should be trained in the basics, but it does anger me when an employee lifts a box, has seven weeks off with sciatica and then attempts to make a claim against us.