With the onset of COVID-19, Guardian Safety, like many other organisations, had to adapt its training methods to continue providing manual handling courses while complying with public health guidelines.
Before the pandemic, Guardian Safety specialised in delivering manual handling training exclusively through face-to-face sessions. These sessions were conducted either at our dedicated training facilities or onsite at client companies across Ireland. This personalised approach allowed for hands-on, interactive learning experiences tailored to the specific needs of each participant and organisation. By focusing on direct engagement, we ensured attendees gained practical skills and knowledge in a controlled, professional environment.
The challenge for us was developing a training product that maintained our high standards for delivering quality manual handling instruction while adhering to the new public health guidelines. We needed to ensure that the integrity of our training, including its hands-on, practical elements, was preserved while transitioning to a format that complied with restrictions on face-to-face interactions. This required innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to upholding the excellence that our clients have come to expect from Guardian Safety.
The solution we implemented was a fully video-based eLearning course, meticulously developed in alignment with Irish legislation. To maintain the practical aspects of the training, we integrated an innovative platform within the course, allowing participants to upload videos of their practical lifts directly to us for review and feedback. This approach ensured compliance with legal requirements, preserved the quality of our training, and allowed us to adapt effectively to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
No training company across Europe offered a ready-made product or development service that met our specific needs for manual handling training during the pandemic. As a result, we took it upon ourselves to design and create the course entirely in-house, ensuring it met our high standards and the requirements of Irish legislation.
We leveraged our internal expertise to develop the course content and script for our online Manual Handling Course. To facilitate high-quality production, we converted one of our training rooms into a green screen studio for video recording and built a sound booth for voice-over work.
What truly set us apart was how we delivered the practical component of the course. While other companies relied on platforms like Teams, Zoom, or even WhatsApp for practical demonstrations, we envisioned a more integrated approach. Our course was designed as a single platform where learners could complete the video-based theory modules and seamlessly upload their video lifts directly. These video lifts were securely linked to the learner’s issued certificate within the same platform, ensuring better organisation and tracking.
Although it would have been easier to accept video submissions via phone or email, we prioritised a more robust system. Our platform required learners to have three video lifts approved within the course before a certificate could be generated. This approach minimised errors and the risk of misfiling videos, which could be crucial if certification was ever required in a legal setting.
To achieve this, our staff underwent upskilling in digital course design, and we sourced an online course platform capable of hosting the training. The platform needed to support direct video uploads, track module completion times, and meet a nine-year retention period for storing course data and practical lifts.
The entire development process took eight months to complete, culminating in a version of the course that we were confident would meet the needs of our customers.
Key Benefits of Our Solution
- Industry Innovation: As Ireland’s only video-based Manual Handling Training, this course underscores Guardian Safety’s dedication to staying ahead of industry needs with forward-thinking solutions.
- Adapting to the Pandemic: This course enabled businesses to maintain compliance with Health & Safety regulations when traditional training was not feasible.
- Evidence of Training: By retaining video records, employers have verifiable proof of training and assessment, valuable for insurance or regulatory purposes in case of workplace incidents.
- Convenience and Safety: Participants could complete the training remotely, minimising health risks associated with in-person gatherings.
Through this initiative, Guardian Safety didn’t merely adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19—we set a new benchmark for delivering effective and innovative Health & Safety training solutions across Ireland.
How the Programme Works
- Participants complete an online module, learning step-by-step proper lifting techniques.
- They then record themselves performing the required lifting techniques specific to their roles.
- These videos are securely uploaded to our system, where they are evaluated by our expert QQI Level 6-certified instructors.
- If the techniques meet the required standards, participants receive a full Manual Handling Training certificate.
- If improvements are needed, detailed feedback is provided, enabling participants to refine their techniques and re-upload their video for reassessment until certification is achieved.
This innovative process goes beyond passive learning by requiring participants to actively demonstrate their competency, ensuring the practical application of the skills learned.
Positive Client Response
When Guardian Safety launched the online Manual Handling Course in late 2020, the response from clients was overwhelmingly positive. Existing clients, familiar with the high-quality training we provided in person, were impressed by how seamlessly the course transitioned to an online format while maintaining the same standards. They appreciated the practical approach, particularly the integration of video uploads for assessing lifting techniques, which ensured that the course remained hands-on and engaging despite being delivered remotely.
New clients, many of whom were seeking innovative and workable solutions to meet their legal obligations during the pandemic, also expressed high satisfaction. They valued the course’s focus on safeguarding employee health and safety while adhering to Irish legislation.
The flexibility of the eLearning format, with its 24/7 access to theory modules and the ability to practise and upload videos at the participant’s convenience, made it especially appealing. This format not only addressed the immediate challenges posed by COVID-19 but also provided a long-term solution for training employees in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility
The course not only offered a better value proposition with a 25% reduction in cost but also provided learners with the flexibility to train at their own pace and schedule. This allowed participants to balance their training with work and personal commitments, making it more convenient and accessible. By enabling employees to complete the theory modules and upload practical videos whenever it suited them, the course accommodated the varying demands of daily life and workplace responsibilities, ensuring that everyone could meet their training needs without disruption.
This flexibility, combined with the reduced cost, made it an attractive option for individuals and organisations seeking a practical and affordable solution for manual handling training. It also allowed Guardian Safety to train more learners per year:
- 2019 Learners trained in Manual Handling: Approximately 4,500
- 2024 Learners trained with Video Upload: Approximately 9,500
Continuous Improvement
Since launching the product in 2020, Guardian Safety has actively responded to client feedback and made several key improvements:
- 2021: Launched the Polish version of the course, making it accessible to a broader audience and catering to non-English speakers.
- 2022: Introduced an eLearning Manual Handling Book to provide additional reading material and a reference point for course modules.
- 2023: Expanded the video size allowance within the course from 20MB to 50MB, simplifying the video upload process. Additionally, we launched an enhanced navigation tutorial video to guide users through the platform for a smoother experience.
- 2024: Submitted the course to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for approval. In the summer of 2024, it was officially recognised, and participants now receive 2 CPD points upon certification.
Proven Outcomes and Recognition
Since its launch, Guardian Safety’s video-based Manual Handling Training has achieved significant outcomes, transforming both participant engagement and industry standards:
- Over 90% of participants report improved confidence in performing manual handling tasks correctly and safely.
- Learners value the flexibility to revisit video content, resulting in better retention and understanding of safe lifting practices.
- Thousands of learners across Ireland have completed the course, with over 70% opting for the video upload feature, which provides a full certificate upon successful demonstration of practical techniques.
The course has been recognised by health and safety experts as the most comprehensive online manual handling programme in Ireland. Employers have utilised recorded video evidence for audits, insurance claims, and workplace incident investigations, demonstrating its practical value.
In conclusion, Guardian Safety firmly believes that its internally produced video-based Manual Handling Training meets the criteria for the Innovation in Health & Safety Award. This programme, developed as a direct response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, is the first of its kind in Ireland. Its combination of quality, flexibility, and accessibility ensures it effectively meets the diverse needs of businesses while maintaining compliance with manual handling regulations.
Guardian Safety continues to pioneer innovative approaches to Health & Safety training, setting benchmarks for excellence across Ireland and positioning its solutions as a model for best practices.
Guardian Safety remains committed to evolving and expanding its innovative approach to Manual Handling Training to meet the dynamic needs of workplaces and regulatory frameworks. The company plans to develop industry-specific modules tailored to sectors such as healthcare, warehousing, construction, and hospitality to address unique challenges. Additional language options will be introduced to cater to Ireland’s diverse workforce.
Continuous updates will ensure compliance with evolving legislation and industry best practices, and support services will be expanded to include additional accommodations for learners with disabilities, further enhancing inclusivity. Guardian Safety also aims to position its training as a model for best practices in online manual handling education, with potential expansion into international markets.
By blending innovation, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to quality, The Online Manual Handling with Video Upload course has not only addressed the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic but also set a new standard for excellence in Health and Safety training.
