Ipswich Borough Council
Manual Handling - Case Study
Case Study - Manual Handling
Reducing Manual Handling Injuries in Waste Operations
Ipswich Borough Council
The Challenge
In June 2019, Handling Change were introduced to Ipswich Borough Council following previous work with a large waste organisation.
The council had been experiencing ongoing manual handling-related injuries across waste collection teams, with particular challenges in high-pressure operational environments. Having previously tried other manual handling providers, but these had failed to reduce injuries.
They were looking for an external partner who could:
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Work collaboratively with internal teams
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Understand operational realities on the ground
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Deliver practical, sustainable reductions in injury rates
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Move beyond traditional “tick-box” training approaches
Our Approach
We began with a detailed review of manual handling risks within the waste division to understand the specific challenges faced by operatives.
This initial assessment was then developed into an ongoing, evolving programme designed to adapt to operational changes, including:
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Introduction of food waste caddies
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Location-specific collection challenges
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Varying manual handling demands across teams and routes
Programme Delivery
The intervention was delivered through a blended approach, including:
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Tailored manual handling training for operatives delivered in their working environment
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Development of “champion” roles to support ongoing supervision and reinforcement of safe practice
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Task-specific manual handling video resources to support consistency across teams
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A dedicated induction video to embed safe practice from day one
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Ongoing support for manual handling incidents and investigations
This ensured training was not a one-off event, but part of an ongoing behavioural improvement process.
Engagement Across the Organisation
A key factor in the success of the programme was the level of engagement achieved across all levels of the organisation.
We worked directly with:
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Operatives
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Supervisors
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Management teams
By delivering training on the job, within the actual working environment, the content became more relatable and immediately applicable.
This helped shift perception of manual handling from a compliance requirement to a critical skill for preventing long-term injury. Open discussions across teams supported a stronger safety culture and improved understanding of risk in real working conditions.
The Results
Since the introduction of the programme, Ipswich Borough Council has seen:
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Approximately 50% reduction in manual handling accidents year on year
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Significant reduction in major injuries resulting in long-term absence
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Improved consistency in safe manual handling practices across teams
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Stronger engagement with proactive risk management at all levels
In addition, the council has been able to respond more effectively to legal claims relating to manual handling incidents, supported by structured training and intervention evidence.
The Impact
The programme has helped shift manual handling safety from a reactive issue to a proactive, embedded part of daily operations.
Rather than relying on isolated training sessions, the council now benefits from:
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Continuous reinforcement of safe practice
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Improved staff awareness of real-world risks
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A more consistent and engaged approach across operational teams