Case Studies

Founded in 1985, Techrete is the largest architectural precast concrete facade contractor in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. They manufacture in North Lincolnshire and Dublin. Their sales and design offices are located in London and Leicester.

The Health and Safety Executive does not publish a prescriptive list of what constitutes a ‘good’ manual handling training course or its duration. However, Fit4Work firmly believes that such a course should encompass the following topics, which it addresses in its IOSH Approved Manual Handling Train the Trainer programme course.

Firstly, the trainer observed Chris’s handling technique to correct any mistakes he might be making. Chris gained knowledge and insight from Angela, the trainer and Director of Fit4Work, and a Physiotherapist, about why some of his trainees in the training course may struggle to adopt the correct postural alignment when lifting loads. For instance, bent hips and knees naturally influence the lumbar spine's curve. She noted tight hamstrings might hinder the appropriate lower back position when lifting. Additionally, restricted movement at the ankle joints, possibly due to arthritis or fractures, compounds this issue. To address these concerns, she recommended a couple of stretching exercises.

What factors should be considered before handling a load, and what is the correct technique for managing objects of various sizes during the practical session?

On the second day, with Angela's help, Chris designed and prepared a lesson plan that covered all the essential topics for his manual handling awareness course. A lesson plan is vital to ensure the consistency of knowledge and skills for all the employees he will be training.

Chris gave Angela a factory tour, enabling her to identify those at risk of injury, explain the reasons behind the risk, and offer suggestions for performing the job task correctly.

Chris completed the two-day course by delivering a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation, and Angela provided constructive feedback where necessary. He then completed a theory paper that required a 60% pass mark, followed by a demonstration of how Chris would conduct a practical teaching session with his trainees.