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Training in manual handling for staff in schools and other establishments has arisen from:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
European Community Directive 90/269/EEC
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
All set out guidelines to follow when moving and handling is required. The regulations establish a clear hierarchy of measures about avoiding hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided and reducing the risk of injury from such operations as far as is practicably possible.
Video-recording staff performing moving and handling tasks involving both children and equipment can provide valuable information in the initial stages of risk assessment. The video can then be used as a focus for subsequent training. The consent of the staff and children/young people recorded on video must be obtained.
The examples, on the following pages, provide advice on moving and handling procedures and suggest the content of a training programme on this theme for staff.
MANUAL HANDLING PROCEDURES
1. STOP AND THINK before any lifting or handling takes place.
2. THINK OUT, IN YOUR STAFF GROUP, PROCEDURES WITH CERTAIN PUPILS.
3. If you are in doubt or you think the task is beyond you, enlist the assistance of another member of staff.
4. THINK - can I make the task less difficult? eg can the furniture come to pieces?
5. Think in advance and give the janitor some warning when furniture or equipment need to be moved.
6. Pupils should not be asked to move furniture or other large objects. A healthy and strong pupil may be asked to help move small items of furniture (to teach cooperative skills) BUT ONLY UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION. If you are in any doubt, ask the headteacher or a senior member of staff.
7. Where possible, don't bend over from the waist, but keep your back straight and bend your knees.
8. Judge your load and feel comfortable before proceeding.
9. Whenever possible, pull or push instead of lifting.
10. The height of the load should not obstruct your vision.
11. Where possible, avoid lifting while you are in a sitting position.
12. If you are carrying a load, plan your 'route' before setting off.
13. If more than one person is lifting, appoint one person to be in charge.
14. Exercise care and diligence when lifting or handling. Always apply common sense - over-confidence can lead to injury.
15. Make full and proper use of any appropriate lifting and handling available.
INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN MANUAL HANDING OBJECTIVES AND AIMS OF THE COURSE
1. Introduction and outline of the day.
2. To raise and increase awareness of Moving and Handling with regard to staff, carer, pupil, patient, client.
3. To identify and briefly outline the legislation/regulations.
4. a) To look at the vertebral column (anatomy of the spine), and
b) to look at posture and identify 'top heavy positions'.
5. To outline and raise awareness of Risk Assessment within the workplace based on an Ergonomic approach.
6. To introduce and demonstrate the Basic Principles of Efficient Moving and Handling.
7. To introduce the conditioning programme.
8. To demonstrate 6 and 7 and to apply these within a practical session.
9. To look at modifications of the basic principles within some movement situations.
10. To look at mechanical aids.
11. It may be necessary to add another module to this one day course to reinforce/build on points 6 and 7:
a) on site, and
b) in the training room.
12. To identify and further train staff to enable them to become on site 'key workers'.
13. To organise a refresher course in one year's time.
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