Guidance on the importance of manual handling training for company owners

Over the recent years there has been a number of legal cases regarding personal injury claims by employees. Two recent High Court judgements have provided clear guidance on manual handling in the workplace and advice on how to avoid liability claims going forward. These judgements highlight the importance for an employer to create good risk assessments and ensure they are reviewed on an annual basis. The employer should ensure all training provided is task related and ensure all training and instruction is given to employees in a language they understand. Employers are also responsible to provide supervision post training and to guarantee the continuing safety of the workers. Information regarding the two recent High Court judgements; One of the judgments was by Ms Justice Mary Irvine in the Barry v Dunnes Stores case (for detailed report see HSR, July/August 2013, Law Cases pg16 and Checklist pg28).The other was by Mr Justice Anthony Barr in the Meus v Dunnes Storescase, (for short report see HSR, Law Cases, January/February 2015, pg17). Both the employer and the employee have a duty of care when it comes to manual handling in the workplace under The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, (General Applications) Regulations 2007, Chapter 4 of Part 2, which outlines the requirements that must be adhered to in relation to manual handling. What is manual handling? “ Manual Handling involves any transporting or supporting of any load by one or more employees, and includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving a load, which by reason of its characteristics or unfavourable ergonomic conditions, involves risk, particularly of back injury, to employees.” The current guidance on course content of a manual handling training for employees by the Health and Safety Authority is FETAC Level 6 Manual Handling/People Handling Standards.  The Health and Safety Authority have prepared a Manual Handling Training Guidance and a framework for Manual Handling Training in Ireland this information can be found www.hsa.ie