RESEARCH REGARDING MANUTENTION

Research into manual handling training in general and Manutention in particular is challenging for several reasons. Often a workplace is changing many components of its safety programme at once: awareness raising sessions; upgrading injury management processes; new equipment like hoists are purchased and used; workplace coaches for manual handling are trained and appointed and there is a change to the style of manual handling training that is used. This makes it difficult to attribute any reduction in injury rates to the Manutention method alone.

Different forms of manual handling training are compared in the research literature. However, it is important to compare “apples with apples”. When reading the research, check out for yourself if you can actually compare two training programmes for the following factors:

• Amount of time devoted to theoretical components
• Amount of time devoted to practical components
• Level of supervision given by trainer when participants are practicing practical tasks
• Opportunities for problem solving
• Whether participants are being taught principles or ‘recipes’ for handling
• Assessment protocols for determining participant competency
• Focus on risk assessment
• Emphasis on patient doing as much as they can
• The skill of the trainer. Are they accredited?

Manutention training programmes incorporate all these factors and more as we believe these factors make for successful manual handling practitioners and workers who can solve their own manual handling issues.

Here are some known research articles concerning Manutention:

Best, M, 2001. Manual handling risk management in health care using Manutention. Safety Science Monitor, 5, (1).

Massy-Westropp, M and Rose, D, 2004. The impact of manual handling training on workplace injuries: a 14 year audit. Australian Health Review, 27, (2), 80 – 87.

MacRae, J, 2004. Employer perspectives of Manutention approach to training for effective patient handling. Paper presented Manual Handling of People Conference, Adelaide. Available in member’s area of this website

Nicholson, K, 2007. Assessing Manutention skill: the AAMP standards referenced assessment system : a report on a research project that developed and validated an assessment system for manual handling skills. Available National Library of Australia, State Library of Victoria.