Manutention is the French word meaning 'handling' and was developed by a French Physiotherapist, Paul Dotte. It has a strong biomechanical basis enhanced by the study of human movement, martial arts, weightlifting, and abseiling. In Australia it is used to describe an approach to manual tasks which teaches people skills to reduce the likelihood of injury when handling people, animals or things by utilizing nine fundamental postures and actions in a variety of ways. It also focuses on the many benefits of ergonomics, risk management, hierarchy of control and appropriate use equipment.

The overall aim of the Manutention Method is to provide a graded, systematic manual handling skills training to reduce musculoskeletal disorders arising from manual tasks carried out in all activities of life.

Manutention and Best Practice

By conducting the training using the Manutention approach the training will then be:

• Consistently applying Occupational/ Work Health and Safety legislation and Codes of Practice.
• Using adult learning principles.
• Encouraging appropriate use of assistive equipment to reduce the risk associated with manual tasks.
• Developing in workers, a set of posture and actions that can be used in home and work situations.
• Progressing with step by step building of motor skills.
• Graduated to increase in complexity of tasks from simple to complex.
• Compatible with ergonomics, minimal lift and the systems approach to work health and safety.
• Using principles of application rather than strict recipes.
• Constantly adapting for specific clinical environments.
• Suitable for health care professionals, specialist carers, paid carers and family members.
• Has a series standardised skills based courses from Introduction to Accredited Trainer Levels for the Acute Care, Aged Care, Health Care, Disability and Industrial Sectors.
• Provides professional development opportunities in topics of special interest.
• Has a clear and achievable reaccreditation process.

Once the Manutention Method is learnt, people will distinctly change in the way they move. Tasks that were previously physically demanding are generally much easier to manage and no longer a strain. Through using the body efficiently and effectively the risk of injury may be minimised, fatigue may be reduced with a reduction in strain on vulnerable areas e.g. spine and upper limbs.

To find out more about Manutention, download the Information Pack. For more information about the teaching methods used in Manutention click on the link below:
How is Manutention Taught?