Unsung Hero
Our backs are the unsung heroes of our daily lives, supporting us in various movements and activities. From the simple act of standing to more complex actions like rotating and bending, our backs play a crucial role in our overall mobility and functionality. However, the sad reality is that back pain and injuries are prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the population.
Statistics by RIDDOR show it’s the most commonly injured part of the body at work.
The Back Pain Epidemic
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 1.2 million people in the UK suffer from back pain. Astonishingly, back injuries are the most common type of injuries reported at workplaces. In 2018/19 alone, there were 10,347 reported back injuries in Great Britain, constituting 15% of all reported workplace injuries during that period.
These injuries resulted in a staggering loss of 10 million days, underlining the significant impact of back issues on individuals and businesses.
Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Many of these injuries fall under the category of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), causing nerve and joint pain and also injury to bones. The sobering fact is that approximately three-quarters of these injuries can be prevented, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Musculoskeletal disorders do not discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of occupation or lifestyle.
Mitigating Risks and Promoting Safety
It’s imperative for individuals and employers to actively mitigate the risks associated with manual handling to ensure the safety and well-being of workers. Awareness plays a crucial role in managing manual handling risks, especially in industries where lifting and moving objects are routine, such as the construction sector.
To address these risks effectively, it’s recommended that all staff undergo a Ligtas online manual handling course. This course equips delegates with the knowledge to plan and deliver training on safe manual handling principles and conduct manual handling risk assessments. The goal is to identify hazards and implement solutions to reduce risks, ultimately creating a safer working environment.
Course Overview
This basic awareness course is designed to ensure that employees can identify the hazards associated with manual handling tasks and demonstrate understanding and use of the principles of good posture and safe handling techniques. This will help individuals understand the risks associated with manual handling tasks and protect themselves from discomfort and injury.
Who is the Ligtas Manual Handling course for?
The Manual Handling Awareness in the Workplace course is intended for all employees.
Another course we offer at Ligtas that would help increase workplace safety is the IOSH Working Safely course.
Who is this course for?
This course is for all levels of personnel requiring a grounding in the essentials of health and safety.
Course Overview
This basic introductory course will enable workers to ensure that their individual and collective actions contribute to health and safety in the workplace and that they understand their responsibilities.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course your staff will be better able to:
• Identify why it is important to work safely
• Identify everyone’s responsibilities in relation to safety, health, and wellbeing in the workplace
• Define key terms in safety and health
• Identify workplace hazards and risks, their impact, and how to control them
• Identify ways safety, health and wellbeing are managed and improved within the workplace
Certification
On successful completion of a short answer test and hazard spotting assessment delegates will receive an IOSH certificate.
Contact our trusted team of professionals for more information on 02922 800 000 or enquiries@ligtas.co.uk
Industry-Specific Focus:
Waste Management
The waste management industry has notably high rates of MSDs. The HSE is currently conducting unannounced site visits to waste and recycling businesses to ensure proper support and training are provided to employees, especially regarding manual handling. Employers in this sector, like many others, need to prioritise employee safety and take proactive measures to prevent MSDs. But it’s not just the waste management sector that’s workers are at risk, the construction industry also at high risk.
Construction industry
Statistics show that 40,000 people who are part of the construction industry are suffering from MSDs.
So it’s a must for all construction site employees to undertake the online Ligtas manual handling awareness course.
Another course recommendation is the online Ligtas : NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) Course.
Who is this course for?
NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) is ideal for:
- Construction site managers
- Contracts managers
- Site workers with health and safety responsibilities
- Construction health and safety advisors
It also makes excellent continued professional development (CPD) for health and safety professionals working in other industries or looking to move into construction.
It’s ideal for anyone who needs a broad understanding of construction health and safety issues to be able to manage day-to-day risks effectively.
Funding options
There are a range of funding options available on our Funding for Health and Safety Courses page.
Funding for training
Funding for training can make a big difference to any business where you have to balance the cost of training against the uncertainty of the market.
The benefits
The benefits of investing in the learning and development of your workforce are endless from improving the confidence of your employees, having a competitive advantage over other employers when recruiting, improving the mental wellbeing of your staff, and demonstrating that you are an employer of choice.
Having properly trained and qualified staff will undoubtedly raise your profile, give you a competitive advantage, and support business growth. Ligtas have various funding opportunities available to businesses. Don’t miss these opportunities to upskill your team and be one step ahead of your competitors.
Contact us for more details or visit the funding page on our website.
Training for a Safer Work Environment
At Ligtas, our emphasis is not just meeting legal compliance but offering real-world solutions to create and maintain a safe working environment. Training plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Ligtas provides courses like the Manual Handling Awareness in the Workplace course, which helps employees identify hazards associated with manual handling tasks and understand the principles of good posture and safe handling techniques.
Additionally, the IOSH Working Safely course is another valuable offering, equipping participants with essential knowledge about workplace safety and health. Or for more in-depth qualifications why not consider the Ligtas : NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NG) is a widely recognised health and safety qualification. The NG offers an excellent grounding in the essentials of health and safety.
The NGC has two unit assessments:
The delegate must achieve a ‘Pass’ in each unit to be awarded the qualification.
- Unit NG1: Management of health and safety
- Unit NG2: Risk assessment
Who Is The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Course For?
- This nationally recognised course is ideal for people who need a comprehensive knowledge of health and safety and is suitable for managers, supervisors, and staff with some level of health and safety responsibility
- This qualification is a commonly requested health and safety qualification by potential employers
- The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NG) is based on UK legislation, so if you do not intend to work in the UK, the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (IG) might be more suitable
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your back is paramount, both in and out of the workplace. Preventing back injuries and promoting a healthy back is achievable through awareness, proper training, and proactive risk management. By investing in training programs like those offered by Ligtas, individuals, and businesses can significantly reduce the incidence of back injuries and create a safer and healthier working environment. Remember, a healthy back leads to a healthier life.
We can offer bespoke in-company courses as well as online and classroom courses. Contact our trusted team of professionals for more information at 02922 800 000 or enquiries@ligtas.co.uk
