One in three injuries to Australian workers are caused by manual handling, with inexperienced staff at greater risk.

Back in 1986, the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation was faced with increasing back injuries and decided to launch a nationwide television campaign to promote good lifting and bending techniques among the general public.

The campaign consisted of a one minute television ad shown at peak viewing times that motivated people to bend their knees whenever they were going towards the floor to either lift or put down objects.

The results of 1,000 randomly selected respondents were quite remarkable.

The survey findings were that:
 

•    Fifty-four percent of the respondents were aware that lifting, bending and strains were a major cause of back injury.

•    While 88% of those who had seen the ad, said that they had modified they way they treated their backs, while 49% had changed their lifting behaviour.

Doctors, schools and industry all took some of the promotional materials and used them to train patients, students and workers.

There are some flaws to these research findings (eg: how did people lift a year later?, what percentage of people were aware of the major causes of back injury before the ads?)

But it does raise an interesting fact.

Video is a powerful way to inform and educate viewers on correct lifting techniques.  To properly train manual handling techniques, video modules are required.
 

At Digicast, we have worked with CSR Plasterboard, CSR Viridian, Lafarge, Boral, BGC and Winstone Wallboards to improve manual handling training at workplaces.

By using a combination of carefully framed shots, matching narration and even using back animations, we have been able to successfully help companies reduce their manual handling injury rates.

You can learn how we have helped by reading this case study: Working together to raise Manual Handling Training Standards for Plasterboard Workers across Australasia