While digital marketing is primarily a desk-based profession, there are several scenarios where digital marketers may encounter physical tasks that could benefit from manual handling training.
These situations often arise during event management, handling promotional materials, setting up for content creation, or organizing office spaces.
Despite the digital nature of their work, marketers may find themselves lifting heavy equipment, moving boxes of marketing collateral, or arranging furniture for collaborative projects.
These physical tasks, though infrequent, can pose significant risks if not performed correctly.
This expanded analysis explores the specific risks digital marketers face and how manual handling training could mitigate these risks, enhancing workplace safety and overall well-being.
When you understand proper lifting techniques, recognize potential hazards, and learn how to assess risks in different environments, digital marketers can protect themselves from injuries and help create a safer workplace.
This knowledge can also be useful outside of work, improving personal safety and potentially reducing health-related absences.
Key Numbers on Manual Handling
Recent facts about injuries caused by manual handling show their big impact on workplace safety:
- In 2023/24, 17% of non-fatal injuries were caused by lifting, carrying, or handling.
- In the construction industry in 2022-2023, 17% of non-fatal injuries were related to lifting or carrying tasks.
- In 2020/21, there were around 480,000 cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Great Britain, with most affecting the upper limbs, neck, or back.
- On average, 21% of injuries each year are caused by lifting, carrying, or moving.
- The HSE says around 9 million working days were lost because of musculoskeletal disorders.
- In Ireland, manual handling injuries are the most common, with over 30% affecting the back, arm, or shoulders.
1.Event Setup and Management
Digital marketers often play a crucial role in organizing and managing marketing events, trade shows, and promotional activities.
These events require physical setup and breakdown, which can involve manual handling tasks:
- Setting up display stands and banners
- Arranging promotional materials and products
- Moving and positioning digital equipment like screens, projectors, and sound systems
- Handling heavy booth components or furniture
Risks:
- Strains from lifting or carrying heavy items
- Injuries from improper lifting techniques
- Accidents due to unstable or improperly secured equipment
Benefits of Training:
- Proper lifting and carrying techniques to prevent back injuries
- Understanding weight limits and when to seek assistance
- Skills for safe assembly and disassembly of event equipment
- Awareness of potential hazards in event spaces
2.Handling Promotional Items and Marketing Materials
Digital marketers often deal with physical marketing materials and promotional items:
- Moving boxes of brochures, flyers, or catalogues
- Handling bulk shipments of branded merchandise
- Organizing and storing marketing collateral
Risks:
- Repetitive strain injuries from frequent lifting and carrying
- Accidents from dropping heavy boxes or overstacked items
- Slips, trips, and falls while carrying bulky materials
Benefits of Training:
- Techniques for safely lifting and carrying boxes of varying weights
- Methods for organizing and storing materials to minimize handling
- Understanding the importance of proper footwear and clear pathways
3.Office Environment Tasks
Even in a primarily digital role, marketers may need to perform occasional physical tasks in the office:
- Rearranging workspaces for collaborative projects
- Moving office equipment like printers or computers
- Organizing and maintaining storage areas for marketing materials
Risks:
- Strains from improper lifting of office furniture
- Injuries from attempting to move heavy equipment alone
- Accidents from unstable stacks of materials or improperly stored items
Benefits of Training:
- Techniques for safe movement of office furniture and equipment
- Understanding the importance of teamwork for heavier items
- Skills for organizing storage areas to minimize handling risks
4.Home Office Ergonomics and Risks
With the increasing prevalence of remote and hybrid work models, many digital marketers now work from home offices:
- Setting up home workstations
- Moving and arranging office equipment in limited spaces
- Handling deliveries of work-related materials
Risks:
- Injuries from improper setup of home office equipment
- Strains from working in non-ergonomic positions
- Accidents when moving heavy items in residential settings
Benefits of Training:
- Guidance on setting up an ergonomic home office
- Techniques for safely moving office equipment in home environments
- Awareness of potential hazards in residential work settings
5.Technology Handling for Content Creation
Digital marketers often engage in content creation, which may involve handling various equipment:
- Setting up lighting rigs for photo or video shoots
- Positioning cameras and tripods
- Moving and arranging props or products for photography
Risks:
- Strains from lifting and positioning heavy camera equipment
- Injuries from unstable lighting setups
- Accidents when climbing or reaching to adjust equipment
Benefits of Training:
- Safe techniques for handling and positioning photography equipment
- Understanding weight distribution and stability for lighting setups
- Awareness of fall risks and proper use of ladders or step stools
6.Warehouse or Storage Facility Visits
Some digital marketers, especially those working with e-commerce or product-based businesses, may occasionally visit warehouses or storage facilities:
- Inspecting products for marketing purposes
- Selecting items for photoshoots or content creation
- Assisting with inventory checks or product launches
Risks:
- Injuries from navigating unfamiliar warehouse environments
- Strains from improper lifting of product samples
- Accidents involving warehouse equipment or vehicles
Benefits of Training:
- Understanding warehouse safety protocols
- Techniques for safely navigating storage facilities
- Awareness of potential hazards in industrial environments
7.Travel and Equipment Transportation
Digital marketers often travel for events, client meetings, or content creation:
- Carrying laptops, cameras, and other electronic equipment
- Handling luggage with marketing materials
- Setting up temporary workstations in various locations
Risks:
- Strains from carrying heavy equipment over long distances
- Injuries from improper lifting of luggage
- Accidents when setting up equipment in unfamiliar spaces
Benefits of Training:
- Techniques for safely carrying electronic equipment
- Methods for packing and transporting marketing materials
- Skills for quickly assessing and mitigating risks in new environments.
8.Collaborative Project Work
Digital marketing often involves collaborative projects that may require physical setup:
- Arranging meeting rooms for brainstorming sessions
- Setting up presentation equipment
- Moving materials for group activities or workshops
Risks:
- Strains from rearranging furniture
- Injuries from improper handling of presentation equipment
- Accidents from cluttered or poorly organized spaces
Benefits of Training:
- Techniques for safely arranging furniture for group activities
- Understanding the importance of clear pathways in meeting spaces
- Skills for safely setting up and breaking down collaborative workspaces
9.Seasonal Campaign Preparations
Many businesses have seasonal marketing campaigns that require physical preparation:
- Handling holiday decorations or themed props
- Setting up seasonal displays or photo backdrops
- Moving and storing seasonal marketing materials
Risks:
- Injuries from handling bulky seasonal items
- Strains from repetitive tasks during busy seasonal periods
- Accidents from unstable seasonal displays or decorations
Benefits of Training:
- Techniques for safely handling and storing seasonal items
- Understanding the importance of pacing and breaks during busy periods
- Skills for creating stable and safe seasonal displays
10.ย Ergonomic Risks in Daily Work
While not strictly manual handling, digital marketers face ergonomic risks in their daily work:
- Prolonged sitting and computer use
- Poor posture when using mobile devices
- Repetitive motions for tasks like data entry or design work
Risks:
- Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Eye strain and headaches from prolonged screen time
Benefits of Training:
- Understanding proper ergonomic setup for workstations
- Techniques for maintaining good posture during computer work
- Awareness of the importance of regular breaks and movement
Conclusion
While digital marketing is primarily a desk-based profession, there are numerous scenarios where manual handling skills can be beneficial.
By providing manual handling training, employers can help digital marketers:
- Reduce the risk of injuries during physical tasks
- Improve overall workplace safety awareness
- Enhance productivity by minimizing downtime due to injuries
- Foster a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace
Moreover, the skills learned in manual handling training can be applied beyond the workplace, benefiting employees in their personal lives and potentially reducing overall health-related absences.
Recognizing and addressing these specific risks through targeted training allows a digital marketing agency to create a safer, more efficient work environment for their teams, ultimately contributing to better employee health, satisfaction, and productivity.
