Lifting & Manual Handling for Childcarers © From £59 + VAT

3 hour course
Nationally recognised qualification

A introductory level health & safety qualification

Principles of Manual Handling is a stand-alone level 1 qualification, which complements the CIEH Basic Health & Safety programme. It is aimed at those who carry out manual handling activities at work and introduces delegates to the hazards of Lifting & Manual Handling and what to expect from a manual handling assessment.

Where lifting is necessary, safe lifting is important to everyone. Most of us lift, lower, push, pull, carry or move many things throughout the day. Many people have back pain at some stage of their lifetime. Injuries are usually the result of repeated strain that has happened over many years. When back pain strikes, people may seek doctor care, use medication, apply heat or ice, get massages, or perhaps even have surgery. Each of the above may be helpful and necessary. However, the secret to back care is prevention. For those who assist children - especially children with disability - a great deal of lifting may be required. This can increase the risk of a back injury. There are two components to preventing back pain: education and exercise.

In practically every business, there are persons whose job it is to carry out manual activities at work. There was a time when the accidents and injuries to these people were simply considered the necessary consequences of the job.

But we're not in the 19^th century anymore. Concern for the safety and well-being of all workers must rank at the top of any company's priority list. Many of us who slave endlessly over our computers forget the sweat and muscle fatigue experienced by those doing the actual hard work.

The risks can be reduced if people understand how to lift correctly and keep the body subtle.

Caring for your back, whether at home or at work, is your responsibility. Finding out how to lift safely can help you reduce or prevent back pain and injury. There is no completely safe and proper method for lifting and handling people, but there are general principles for lowering the risks of injury. It is important to use good lifting methods, have correct posture and take part in regular exercise. Prevention is always better than cure, especially in the case of back injuries.

Successful completion will prepare delegates to look carefully at their own work activities and contribute to the development of safer methods and tasks (in co-operation with their managers and supervisors in crèches, playgroups, nurseries, out of school clubs etc).

While this unit of study can be delivered as a stand-alone qualification and there are no specific pre-requisites, it is strongly recommended that delegates should already hold the CIEH Basic Health & Safety Certificate.

Topic areas covered:

1. The process of manual handling and lifting in the workplace.
2. Lifting and manual handling injuries and the activities which cause them.
3. Lifting and manual handling assessment and control options.
4. Responsibilities imposed by the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

Objectives:

By the end of the programme delegates will be able to:

• Explain what is meant by the term 'manual handling' and give examples
• State the principles for controlling lifting manual handling risks and apply these in a practical context;
• Demonstrate a general understanding of the value and purpose of conducting a lifting and manual handling assessment and what employees can expect of such assessments;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the main provisions of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

Additional information:

Course duration: 3 hours
Course cost: £89 + VAT

Back or neck pain can make you miserable. For example, a child caregiver who bends over to pick up a child, or who carries a child on her hip during the day may later have hip and back pain. If you have not experienced back or neck pain in your life, you are in the great minority.