Tracking device boosts training

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has brought its moving and handling training up to date with the introduction of an electronic device that helps trainees adopt - and keep - good manual handling habits.

The movement tracking device is worn on a belt and monitors the wearer's movement and posture, picking up on movements such as stooping which are known to be a risk factor in back injury. The technology can be tailored to individual needs and has built-in activation thresholds which vibrate and make a sound to alert the wearer to their risky behaviour, gradually conditioning employees to make changes to their handling routines.

RoSPA is introducing the device into all its manual handling and safer people handling training courses. It is hoped that the system will bring a new dimension to moving and handling training, enabling delegates to take control of their own learning and correct mistakes in posture and movement when they are out of view of the trainer.

Manual handling is responsible for more than a third of all workplace injuries, many of which can have painful, long-lasting consequences.