Did you know that poor manual handling skills can lead to more than just immediate injuries?
The consequences ripple through an organisation,
resulting in lost productivity, higher absenteeism, increased insurance premiums, and potentially legal liabilities.
In 2023 alone, ACC reported over 195,000 work-related injury claims, costing the country $1billion! Among these claims, over 50,000 were related to lifting, carrying, and strain injuries. These staggering numbers highlight the hidden costs that businesses across New Zealand face.
While manual handling training isn’t a legal requirement in NZ, organisations have a duty of care to ensure safe working conditions. Protecting your team goes beyond avoiding immediate injury costs. It’s about preventing chronic conditions that can reduce efficiency and morale, impacting the wellbeing and retention of your entire workforce.
The Real Impact
Beyond compliance, investing in safety empowers your employees to work efficiently and confidently, driving performance and productivity up. Without correct manual handling skills, the risk of workplace injuries – and the associated costs – remains high. These injuries don’t just affect individual workers; they can damage the whole team’s morale, lead to higher compensation claims, and even harm your organisation’s reputation.
Below are some WorkSafe graphs showing the number of muscular injuries resulting in more than a week off work between June 2022 and May 2023. A good proportion of these injuries are undoubtedly preventable.
A Proactive Solution
Ensuring effective manual handling techniques are used mitigates these risks.
A well-trained workforce is safer, more motivated, and ultimately more productive.
First Move Manual Handling Training has received exceptional feedback, with over 90% of attendees rating it 9 or 10 out of 10.
In just two hours, our trainer covers practical techniques designed to prevent injuries. By prioritising manual handling training, you’re safeguarding your team and strengthening your organisation’s bottom line.
For more details, check out AIM’s First Move Manual Handling Training and take the first step towards reducing the cost of poor manual handling skills in your team.
