In the United Kingdom (UK), work injuries because of manual handling in logistical businesses continues to be a problem at workplaces. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) around the globe account for over 470,000 work related cases as per the HSE. Such types of disorders and injuries are a result of improper manual handling practices, for example, lifting, lowering, and carrying, which also affects employee health as well as production of the workplace. A manual handling course can transform the issue of manual handling into a clear route to safer, more efficient working for employers and employees. 

Injuries At Work Come with A Big Cost to All

Workplace injuries are far too expensive to be understated. The HSE further says that 8.9 million working days are lost due to work related MSDs each year, admitting a big cost to businesses. This can cause employees with injuries to take time off to heal the injury, leaving holes in the work staff while hampering operational efficiency and having a knock-on effect on others' workloads.  

Businesses are further burdened by the amount of compensation claims and medical expenses. Good training programmes could avoid many of the costs that businesses spend millions each year on injury, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). 

Manual Handling Training Courses

Manual handling courses are designed to train your staff to undertake physically demanding tasks safely. Ergonomic lifting techniques, knowledge of where the weight is, having good posture, and knowing what risks are before you form an integral part of the curriculum. 

Companies that now have manual handling training in place have seen workplace injury rates drop by up to 35%, according to the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors. The benefits extend beyond just safety:  

  1. Reduced Absenteeism: This leads to less days lost to recovery from injuries.
  2. Improved Productivity: Healthy employees are free to work up to their full capacity without fear of injury.
  3. Increased Employee Morale: When we invest in worker safety, they feel more valuable. 

This means that if employers take workforce training seriously, it helps keep the workforce and their businesses afloat. 

It is the emphasis made by HGVC, one of the leading providers of workforce safety training in the United Kingdom, that workforce safety training for compliance and operational excellence is important. “A manual handling course means a safer, more productive environment. Workplace injuries are not just bad for workers—they are bad for businesses and create inefficiencies,” opines head of HGVC, Gary Benardout.  

Businesses in sectors such as warehousing, construction and logistics are particularly an elevated risk of manual handling injuries. 

Economic and Operational Benefits

The costs of manual handling courses are minimal as compared to the savings that businesses could make if workplace injuries are avoided. Companies that make such training a top priority report lower injury rates; their employees also like to work for companies that care about their well-being, resulting in higher employee retention rates. 

A safety-first culture is what a manual handling course is about. This leads to fewer workplace injuries, greater productivity and happier employees – it is a recipe for long term success for businesses.