Every year thousands of people suffer very debilitating injuries as a result of lifting and handling loads.
This is a common event. These injuries cost individuals and the community a great deal, and can in many cases be prevented.
We are all potentially victims to physical injury and some people will even become disabled as a result.
This site will give you information that will help prevent this situation from occurring to you.
Please take the time to find out what you can do to protect yourself, your well-being is worth it!
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Manutention is the French word meaning manual handling and in Australia it is used to describe an approach to manual handling which teaches people skills which protect the body from injury when handling people, animals or things.
The Method was developed by a French Physiotherapist, Paul Dotte.
It has a strong biomechanical basis enhanced by the study of human movement, martial arts, weightlifting, and abseiling.
BACK INJURIES CAN MEAN REAL TROUBLE
It is estimated by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, (2006), that lost time and compensation for manual handling injuries costs the country $9.5 Billion per annum.
The aim of the Manutention Method is to provide graded, systematic manual handling skills training to reduce musculoskeletal disorders arising from manual handling tasks carried out in your workplace.
LIFESTYLE - NO MORE FUN AND GAMES
There are many research articles out there that look at comparing different forms of occupational safety and health (OSH) strategies for their benefits in reducing injury. Some look at a purely risk management approach; some ergonomics alone; some look at equipment alone. We would suggest that all of these strategies need a component of manual handling training, preferably Manutention, to train the users to adopt self protective behaviours when using the equipment or ergonomically designed workstation.
Manutention incorporates theoretical and practical OSH activities within all of its courses, so participants use the risk management framework and hierarchy of risk control.
AAMP trainers provide accredited, competency based training courses in Healthcare, Aged Care and Industrial Loads.
The accredited training courses are held over a period of days rather than hours and are always taught in small groups.
Short courses can be customised to suit the requirements of your organisation.
Safe handling habits are an essential skill for minimising manual handling injuries. All risk assessments consider whether the worker is bending, twisting, loading one side of the body only or working away from the body.
Manutention courses will place the role of safe handling habits within a risk management process and will teach the worker safe postures and actions to eliminate many risky work habits.
There are many highly qualified Mantutention trainers in Australia and New Zealand, running courses that can teach you what you need to know to protect yourself from injury. This website will be able to provide you with details about when, where and how to attend a course in any state in Australia or New Zealand. See the drop down menu at the button, (above), for how to find course details.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT TO OTHER METHODS
So how is Manutention different to other forms of manual handling? Well in one sense it is the same because the principles of back care and injury protection are standard.
The difference lies in the competence that the worker develops, the minimisation of effort that is built into the moves, ergomotricity concept, plus the teaching method
Manutention can be applied to the movement of things (inanimate loads) and the movement of people. Different courses are developed for the different streams.
IS IT COMPATIBLE WITH NO LIFT EQUIPMENT AND ERGONOMICS?
Manutention works well with ergonomics, equipment and minimal lift policies. In Manutention courses, participants are asked to consider how all these factors can be put together to reduce effort and minimise injury to the worker and the person or load they are moving.
Alternatives to lifting; such as using equipment and sliding of loads are taught, with a focus on reducing exposure to risk.
The Manutention method is used in many countries throughout the western world.
In Australia, Manutention has been adopted as the preferred method of training by a number of major Hospitals, District Hospitals, Community Care Centres, Aged Care facilities, Disability Services and Ambulance Services. Numerous companies ranging from retail to construction have also made Manutention their chosen method of manual handling skills training.
Rehabilitation Service providers are also referring injured workers for Manutention training as they recognise this will provide the worker with skills in self protective behaviours to decrease the likelihood of re-injury and in some cases it is the only chance of their clients returning to their previous form of employment.
RESEARCH REGARDING MANUTENTION
Some research regarding Manutention has been conducted. The topics so far have covered:
Once you learn the Manutention method you will find a definite change in the way you move. You will find tasks that were previously physically demanding for you, are much easier to manage and no longer a strain. This is because you learn how to use your body.
Not only are you minimising risk of injury but you will very likely feel less tired at the end of the day, because you are using your body in the most efficient way, which reduces strain on vulnerable areas e.g. spine and upper limbs.
Manutention provides a systematic and standard approach to the skills training component of the hierarchy of control and risk management process. You will see that Manutention is one part of effective control of manual handling hazards, but an essential one.
This website will give you lots of opportunity to read all about the Manutention Method of training. If at any time you get lost in the site, Just go back to the HOME PAGE and click on the site map for directions. Each state in Australasia has its own separate area within the site. Building of the site will continue and alter with time.
We hope you enjoy your visit. Click on GO FOR IT, (below), to enter the main site. Thank you for your attention.
