IS IT COMPATIBLE WITH NO LIFT EQUIPMENT AND ERGONOMICS?
Ergonomics and Manutention work well together. In using ergonomics to design the workplace to suit the worker, ergonomics achieves optimal working conditions and work flows. Ergonomics will also often reduce repetitious and sustained postures. If, on top of that, the worker is trained in Manutention, they will adopt self protective working postures and habits, allowing them to work with comfort, security and efficiency; then many manual handling risks have been reduced.
Slide sheets, height adjustable beds, hoists and trolleys are all part of Manutention courses. We believe that equipment alone is not enough: the user has to be taught to position their body safely and use the transfer of body weight, rather than muscle strength to obtain movement of the load. Using equipment in conjunction with Manutention means the task is likely to be safe, require reduced effort and be less fatiguing for the worker.
Manutention is compatible with no lift or minimal lift policies. In Manutention courses, participants are encouraged to review their workplace manual handling policy for consistency with a minimal lift approach. During Manutention courses all activities are classified as non load bearing, partial load bearing or full load bearing. Practical components are graded. Participants constantly use the hierarchy of control to incorporate engineering controls to consider environmental and job redesign and to reduce manual handling.