FIS has launched a new e-learning module, An Introduction to Manual Handling for Drylining, to provide tailored guidance for drylining contractors and operatives and help tackle one of the most persistent causes of injury across the construction sector.
Manual handling injuries remain one of the leading causes of workplace ill health and lost working time in construction, accounting for around 17% of all reported non-fatal workplace injuries in the UK, making it one of the most significant contributors to lost working time in construction. In drylining, operatives routinely handle large, heavy and often awkward materials within challenging site environments, making the associated risks particularly significant.
Developed with the industry, for the industry
Produced in partnership with CITB, Construction People Solutions and FIS members, the course addresses concerns around the handling of plasterboard and other drylining materials on site. The principal aim is to increase awareness of manual handling risks, promote safer working practices and reinforce the collective responsibility for health and safety throughout the construction process.
A key aspiration of the course is to drive industry training that can easily be transposed on site, reflecting the realities of how drylining operatives actually work rather than relying on the kind of generic manual handling guidance that has historically been applied across construction.
Tackling risk across the whole chain
The course aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to identify risks, challenge unsafe practices and implement safer methods of work. Delivered through the FIS Academy, it offers flexible online learning that can be completed at any time, making it suitable for operatives, supervisors, site managers and business leaders seeking to strengthen their approach to manual handling safety.
Learners who enrol will:
- Increase their awareness of manual handling risks specific to drylining
- Build confidence in identifying and challenging unsafe practices on site
- Understand their individual and shared responsibility for health and safety
Supporting a stronger safety culture
Manual handling safety is one strand of a broader commitment by FIS to improving competence across the finishes and interiors sector and supporting members in meeting their obligations under the industry’s evolving competence and safety agenda. By improving handling techniques and raising awareness of best practice, the training aims to reduce the risk of injury while supporting safer, more productive workplaces across the sector.
The e-learning course is available through the FIS Academy and CITB funding is available for eligible businesses.
For further information, visit the FIS Academy or contact the FIS team at info@thefis.org or 0121 707 0077
