EU experiences indicate that labour inspectors regard problems connected with the assessment of manual handling of loads as more difficult and complex than the majority of problems they take up in their everyday inspections. That is why training was launched in 2007 within the framework of ‘Train-the-trainers’ programme aimed at not only preparing them for the realisation of a specific campaign, but also broad training of the National Labour Inspectorates in the subject matter of the manual handling of loads.

In line with the decisions of the MHL working group, a series of trainings for domestic inspectors run by trainers trained during the 2007 campaign, is planned for 2008. Those trainers, equipped in 2008 with additional educational and training materials in the form of a training programme, Power Point presentations and publications containing information about the specific threats and good practices in both sectors covered by the campaign will train national inspectors and those – inspectors directly implementing the campaign in companies.

The task of the trainings consists in:

• Explaining the assumptions and goals of the “Manual handling of loads 2008”,
• Transmission of knowledge about the legal regulations concerning manual handling of loads,
• Being aware of threats connected with manual transport in the sectors covered by the campaign,
• Transmission of piratical knowledge about the application of the campaign’s control tools,
• Understanding of the risk assessment methods in case of manual handling of loads,
• Transmission of knowledge about the assessment tools of manual handling of loads.

Thanks to these trainings the inspectors:

• will be identically trained to control the employers in the field of manual handling of loads in accordance with Directive 90/269/EEC,
• will be aware of the threats connected with manual handling of loads,
• will be able to apply or carry out risk analysis in the field of manual handling of loads within the framework of direct in-plant inspections.
• will be able to evaluate the risk assessment process made individually by the employer in the field of manual handling of loads.

The inspectors’ knowledge and abilities will be later transferred to the direct beneficiaries of the campaign – employers and employees of trade and building engineering sector – during national information and control campaigns.