Manual handling

abbey2000

I need to move some files in work. They are in small A4 sized boxes, about 4 reams of paper would fit in each box. They are not holding that much paper and are not that heavy. I am in a supervisor position in the company. I just need to move the boxes to a new stroage location, but I am told I cannot do it unless I do the manual handling course again.

I have a small trolley to put the boxes on to wheel them to their new location, and myself and another guy at work were planning on spending time this evening getting them moved.

I have done many manual handling training courses in the past. Does anyone know how frequently a refresher course has to be done? Or if it has to be done at all? I never got certificates or anything, just did the course. HR usually does this training in my workplace with new staff.

I find it odd that I would need to do it again. It will take 2 and a half hours to do Im told. Even though I have done it several times before (although not in the last two years). I would have all of my files moved well within this time frame.

I totally appreciate the need for health and safety, but I find it a bit much that I would have to spend 2 1/2 hours doing the course again before we can move the files? What do people think?

Thanks.

artful_codger

public sector job by any chance ?

abbey2000

No! Private sector. but i can see why you think so!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I think you company are fools. Complete retards... Just move the files. People are too soft to be honest. Manual handling to lift a few boxes. I would be fcuking pissed.

You do a manual handling course once, why the hell would you need to do it again, ever?

abbey2000

Xavier - i totally agree, i think its rubbish to. these boxes are lighter than the printer papers boxes i lift every day to? it makes no sense to me. i am planning on just moving them and making my point.

brightspark

I believe in having refresher training BUT ifrom personal experience most manual handling training is not specific enough to be of any use

The HSA recommend at least every 3 yrs

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/FAQs/Manual_Handling/

How often do employees need refresher training?

Refresher training will be at intervals not more than every three years and when there is any major change in the work involved or equipment used or when an employee is transferred to another activity requiring different loads to be handled.

Remind your employer that generic training is not adequate

It is not sufficient to just provide training for employees.

Manual handling training needs to be specific to the tasks involved. It should aim to ensure that the employee understands the reasons for doing the job with least risk, can recognise the risks and decide the best way to go about it and can perform the task safely.

Consider yourself lucky that you work in a place is offering you some training as a recent poster could not get any from her employer

Also note that under the 2005 Act you are legally obliged to undertake any health and safety training provided by your employer (assuming the employer's risk assessment states that training is required)