The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has introduced a new manual handling training course to cut injuries in the logistics industry.
Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives have the third highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders that are caused or made worse by their job.
The new RoSPA course, Manual Handling Training for Logistics, aims to reduce this rate by encouraging employers to invest in training for their staff.
It will cover the legal and business case for training staff in manual handling techniques and will include logistics-specific guidance on pallet loading, off-loading, awkward loads, racking, handling tote boxes and picking and packing activities.
It also offers a cost-effective "train a trainer" solution for companies, through which an employee can be equipped with manual handling skills that they can share with their colleagues back in the workplace.
Four-day courses will run in Birmingham in August and December 2007 and in Edinburgh in July 2007 and March 2008.
John Lester, RoSPA Workplace Safety General Manager, said: "RoSPA seeks to lead the way in the provision of occupational health and safety training that is both of a high standard and relevant to the challenges faced by employers and their staff.
"Musculoskeletal disorders, such as low back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries, are the most common work-related illnesses in Britain. Those involved in logistics work are particularly at risk from this type of problem.
"We hope our new course will show the importance of manual handling training in the logistics industry and encourage the spread of skills in workplaces across the country."
RoSPA has also introduced a range of other new health and safety training courses covering issues including workplace transport risk assessment, which would be of particular relevance to logistics companies, and fire risk assessment.
For more information on the new courses see www.rospa.com/occupationaltraining/index.htm , email training@rospa.com or call 0870 777 2227 for courses in England or 0870 777 2228 for courses in Scotland.