Agrial Fresh Produce
Bespoke Manual Handling Training
Manual Handling Expert & Occupational Osteopath Jonathan Simmonds ran Osteopathic Solutions Ltd's CPD Group Accredited 3 Day Manual Handling Instructor (‘Train the Trainer’) Assessor Programme onsite for Agrial Fresh Produce in Wigan covering job specific Manual Handling tasks across the factory floor, warehouse and outside areas. Jonathan (pictured below and below left demonstrating Optimal Pushing Technique) expertly delivered the Course with 7 attendees who following successful completion of the Course and passing of the Practical and Written Assessment would immediately be providing in house Manual Handling Practical Skills Training for the Agrial Wigan workforce; and some whom would be performing Manual Handling Risk and Ergonomic Assessments, so that the site maintains its compliance under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.​ The factory was operationally ongoing throughout the 3 Days to allow practical application of tasks during the Training Course.
Day 1. Following the Course introduction, the first day commenced with relevant laws and basic spinal anatomy enhancing the attendees' knowledge on basic biomechanics relevant to hazardous and Optimal Manual Handling techniques and practices, with the use of a professionally designed and visually engaging PowerPoint, video footage and a replica spine.
Throughout this part of the Course Jonathan Simmonds BSc. (Hons) Ost. referred to the Course Booklet, pointing out the key facts the attendees needed to know. This effectively allowed the (soon to be) Instructors to understand the consequences of poor Manual Handling technique and how it eventually leads to cumulative strain, injury and pain. Information was received positively with discussion and interaction.​
The afternoon was initiated with optimal squat lifting and lowering techniques. Incorporating the semi squat lift and lower; full squat lift and lower and the lunge lift and lower. This took place in an appropriate teaching location where ear and eye protection were not enforced allowing better communication and attendee technique critique.
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After demonstrations by Osteopathic Solutions' Jonathan Simmonds, attendees took turns to display their ability with each lift aided by the theoretical knowledge digested from the morning classroom theory session. During this time Jonathan Simmonds was able to correct any errors in attendees’ technique and refine their understanding of Optimal Handling Principles. The attendees then demonstrated the lifts in a teaching format to each other, verbally explaining what they were doing and why.​
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​As the Agrial Fresh Produce attendees were being prepared to provide an in house, Bespoke Manual Handling Training Programme, they were encouraged to critically analyse each other using the Optimal Handling Principles, so they were confident giving feedback to staff they were soon to train.
Pushing and Pulling techniques were given great importance due to the high levels of pallet/ pump truck use on the factory and warehouse floors.
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​Commonly observed hazardous techniques and practices were demonstrated by Jonathan Simmonds (shown in the gallery to the left) with jargon-free, simple explanations of the biomechanical effects and subsequent Musculoskeletal Disorders resulting.
Having the attendees practise these hazardous techniques during the Course practical is essential for them to make employees more aware of what they do, in order to help them come away from bad habits.
These demonstrations of hazardous Pushing and Pulling techniques and practices were followed by demonstrations of Optimal Techniques as shown in photographs below.
Once you have assessed the load you should position yourself by:
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Facing the load with one foot in front of the other
(the front foot heel should be just in front of the rear foot toes)
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Placing the feet your normal hip width apart
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Bending both your knees (no more than a semi-
squat) -
Placing your hands safely on the load, wrapping
your fingers around its corners or gripping the handles -
Keeping your elbows close to your body, level with the trunk
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Keeping your spine upright, looking forward
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To initiate movement of the load forward from a standing start drive your whole body forward with your leg muscles, keeping your elbows in, your spine upright and your head looking forward.
Pushing
Facing the Load enables you to control the movement of the load and generally does not involve as much use of body weight (resulting in unsafe spinal posture) compared to pulling facing away from the load. Once you have assessed the load and it is not too heavy for pulling you should position yourself by:
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Facing the load with one foot in front of the other (the front foot heel should be level with the rear foot toes)
-
Placing the feet your normal hip width apart
-
Bending both your knees (no more than a semi-
squat) -
Placing your hands safely on the load, wrapping
your fingers around its corners or gripping the handles -
Keeping your elbows close to your body, level with the trunk
-
Keeping your spine upright, avoiding a significant backward bend
Pulling
At Agrial Fresh Produce in Wigan, Jonathan Simmonds' demonstrations were then followed by individual participation. The photograph below shows attendee Anna demonstrating and explaining Optimal pushing technique to fellow attendees with confidence and assurance. What error do you notice in her body positioning for the Pull in the photo to the right? This error was corrected by Osteopathic Solutions' Manual Handling Expert Jonathan so that she went on to achieve top marks in the Practical Assessment on Day 3.
Day 2 of the Manual Handling Instructor (Train the Trainer) Assessor Programme began with an introduction to Risk Assessment with group participation in using the MAC Tool (Manual Handling Assessment Chart). For a worked example of the MAC tool please view our HSE Risk Assessment Tools page. The group watched and scored a Lifting and Carrying ​operation via video footage. After this Osteopathic Solutions' Manual Handling Expert Jonathan Simmonds brought together the group for discussion on their answers and how they came to them. Jonathan then delivered a presentation on Manual Handling Risk Assessment, supported by the HSE's Manual Handling Risk Assessment Checklists, so that the attendees understood the Task, Individual, Load and Environment (Manual Handling) Risk Factors. For our worked example of the HSE's Manual Handling Risk Assessment Checklists please view our HSE Risk Assessment Tools page.​
​​Following this training room exercise, a review of practical application of Optimal Manual Handling Technique was carried out in the factory. Attendees were individually encouraged to verbalise their handling technique to the rest of the group as if they were in a teaching/ Trainer situation.
The photograph to the right shows attendee Joshua explaining to the group the importance of the 5 BackSafe principles prior to demonstrating a lifting technique.
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KEEP THE LOAD CLOSE
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FACE SQUARE ON TO THE LOAD
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BEND THROUGH YOUR HIPS AND KNEES
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USE THE POWERFUL LEG MUSCLES
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MAINTAIN YOUR SPINAL ‘S’ SHAPE
The remainder of the afternoon was spent touring the factory and observing typical day to day Manual Handling techniques and practices of the workforce. The emphasis on this exercise was a critique by attendees from a Risk Assessment point of view, building on information received in the morning presentation.
Highlights of issues brought to attention by the attendees are shown in the below photographs. During 2022, Osteopathic Solutions provided Manual Handling Risk & Ergonomic Assessments for all 4 sites of Agrial Fresh Produce including their Florette site in Lichfield. In each of the final Risk Reduction Reports site Health & Safety Managers were made aware of the musculoskeletal consequences of their most hazardous tasks, including solutions to reduce risks of Manual Handling Lost Time Accidents and Injury at Work Claims. From our national experience of provision of Manual Handling Risk Management for Food Groups, the Agrial sites are no different regarding the hazardous nature of some of their tasks, loads and environments.
Thorough discussion was engaged in by all attendees who were now much more informed and aware of hazardous practices (for the musculoskeletal system) being carried out day to day in their factory. Points below highlight attendees' thinking and rationale when observing tasks;
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The spinal movements performed
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What areas of the body are under mechanical strain
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What musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) could happen
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What the employer could do after assessment to reduce Manual Handling risks
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What Optimal Handling Technique & practice is (if) possible!
Day 3 commenced with Osteopathic Solutions' Manual Handling Expert Jonathan taking the group through the 2 Hour Manual Handling Practical Skills Course structure and delivery as Agrial could well have had them delivering in house training the very next week. Following this important part of the Course, Jonathan took them back to the factory and also to an outside area for further scrutiny and analysis of attendees’ practical application. This incorporated Team Lifting and Carrying focusing on communication and coordination, as well as Optimal Handling technique and practice. ​During this time the attendees were able to correct any remaining errors in each other’s technique and refine their understanding of Optimal Handling principles. The attendees then demonstrated the lifts in a teaching format to each other, verbally explaining what they were doing and why.
​The importance of maintaining one’s own technique when demonstrating was also strongly emphasised, as many people are purely ‘visual’ learners only paying minimal attention to verbal instructions. This is something else to consider if teaching a workforce when English is not their primary language.
​As the attendees were being prepared to provide an in house, Bespoke Manual Handling Training Programme, they were again encouraged to critically analyse each other using the ‘BackSafe’ principles, so they were confident giving feedback to staff they were soon to be training.
All attendees successfully passed the combined Course Practical and Written Assessment on Day 3 and were signed off by Jonathan and by Osteopathic Solutions Ltd to become Agrial Fresh Produce Wigan's Manual Handling Instructors and Risk Assessors, each receiving their Accredited Programme Certificate.
Another remarkable Accredited Programme delivered by Jonathan Simmonds!
