Manual Handling and Ergonomics for the Office

When working in an office, it’s easy to assume you are exempt from the considerable dangers present in work environments such as construction sites or warehouses. Don’t be fooled however – by doing simple tasks such as typing at a desk or lifting files onto a shelf, you are putting your physical health at risk if these tasks are not undertaken with the correct Ergonomic and manual handling principles.

So what’s the big deal and why should you do this course? Well, The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated in 2007 that one third of all reported occupational injuries were sprains or strains of joints and adjacent muscles, resulting from manual handling or poor Ergonomic work practices. This is encountered in many areas of the office environment and such injuries can be disabling and costly.

Topics Covered:

• Ergonomic hazards in the workplace
• What is manual handling?
• The risks and consequences of manual handling
• Legal requirements and responsibilities
• Assessing manual handling tasks and minimising risk
• Proper lifting technique