Under the General Regulations Act 2007 all employees must complete a manual handling training programme if they are at risk to musculoskeletal injuries. In addition to this employees must complete a refresher course every three years.

Manual handling is the use of the human body to lift, lower, fill, empty, or carry loads and includes climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose a risk of injury to the employee.

Injuries can result from a single incident, from the cumulative effects of manual handling or from repetitive actions. Potentially tasks that involve bending and/or twisting of the back, repetitive motions, the carrying or lifting of heavy loads and maintaining fixed positions for a long time can cause injury and/or ill health.

4Front provides manual handling instructors that are accredited to FETAC level 6. This training includes:

• Legal obligations.
• The affects of manual handling on the human body.
• Identification of hazards associated with manual handing.
• Awareness of manual handling within the workplace.
• Putting procedures in place.
• Techniques used to reduce the risks.