Our Manual Handling Training for Mizkan 

Tailored manual handling training that works 

Have you ever wondered what Manual handling training with WS Training would entail? Keep reading to find out…

With so much focus on e-learning, it’s easy to forget how important face-to-face training is, especially when safety is at stake. At WS Training, we know that hands-on, tailored sessions that are engaging and memorable leave a lasting impact. Just ask Mizkan, they swapped screen time for real-time learning and saw their team walk away safer, smarter, and more confident. 

Mizkan came to us after recognising that their existing e-learning approach wasn’t having the impact they needed. With a fast-paced production environment and varied shift patterns, they found it challenging to organise training that engaged staff and ensured consistent understanding across teams. 

We worked closely with Mizkan to design and deliver manual handling training that would not only meet their operational needs but also be engaging and memorable. By tailoring the delivery to suit their shift patterns, we provided flexible, face-to-face training sessions that worked around their schedules, including early mornings and late evenings where required. This approach ensured that every team member had access to high-quality training without disrupting production. 

The result? Improved staff engagement, better knowledge retention, and a smoother rollout of essential learning across the business. Keep reading to find out who Mizkan are and how we tailored the manual handling course they completed.  

What is Mizkan? 

Mizkan UK is a leading producer of sauces, condiments, and seasonings, supplying products such as soy sauce, vinegars, and marinades to both the foodservice and retail sectors. Mizkan Euro is the European subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a family-owned Japanese business that was founded in 1804. With over 210 years of heritage, Mizkan Group is a global leader in the production of high-quality food products and is best known as the number one sushi seasoning supplier in the world. As part of their commitment to quality and continuous development, Mizkan UK has been partnering with WS Training for staff training since 2007.

Emma Wright says “WS Training have been very supportive over the years, accommodating training at short notice and always giving us multiple options with availability and how the courses are delivered to suit our site requirements.” 

The Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (RQF) course (manual handling training)

Mizkan recently booked and completed a Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (RQF) course with WS Training to support their commitment to workplace safety and staff development.  

Given the nature of Mizkan’s operations, employees are frequently required to lift and move heavy containers, barrels, and pallets of ingredients and finished goods. Without proper manual handling training, workers risk serious injuries, including back and shoulder strains, sprains, and musculoskeletal disorders. Improper lifting techniques can result in accidents that disrupt production lines and damage valuable equipment or stock. By investing in comprehensive manual handling training, Mizkan ensures that its staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to perform their tasks safely, thereby safeguarding both its employees and the company’s operations.

Emma booked the course and mentioned how “The booking process is easy and straight forward process to follow.” 

What is manual handling training, and why is it important? 

Manual handling training isn’t just important for Mizkan; it’s a requirement in any industry where workers are required to lift/move objects. Let’s break down what manual handling really means and why it’s important. We’ll look at some common examples and talk about what can happen to a business when things go wrong. 

The HSE defines manual handling as “transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force. It includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving loads. A load can be an object, person or animal.” Manual handling at work – HSE 

Let’s take a look at some examples of manual handling in the workplace: 

• Example 1: It could be an office worker lifting a heavy box that has been delivered.  

• Example 2: It could be a vet lifting a heavy pet or pulling a heavy bag of food. 

• Example 3: It could be a construction worker moving a heavy piece of equipment. 

Let’s take a look at some statistics…

FACT: Did you know that over 30% of injuries reported to the HSE in the food and drink industry are related to manual handling? Manual Handling in Catering HSE article.
(Source: Manual Handling in Catering – HSE)   

In 2023/2024 alone, the HSE reported that 543,000 workers in Great Britain suffered from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Manual handling was one of the main work factors behind these injuries.
(Source: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Statistics in Great Britain, 2024 – HSE) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders statistics in Great Britain, 2024 

These statistics show just how common and serious manual handling injuries are in the workplace. They can include: 

• Back, neck, and spine injuries 

• Strains, sprains, and hand injuries 

• Musculoskeletal disorders 

• Limb and joint pain 

• Cuts, burns, slips, trips, and falls 

These injuries not only affect the health and well-being of employees, but they also carry a high cost to organisations through lost productivity, compensation claims, and staff absence. 

Despite this, many employers still see manual handling training as a tick-box exercise, often relying solely on online courses. While e-learning can be a convenient way to reach staff, it’s not always the most effective. Everyone learns differently, and if training isn’t fully understood or applied, the risks remain. Some employees learn best through hands-on practice, while others prefer theory-based learning. That’s why it’s essential to offer training options that suit different learning styles. 

At WS Training, we believe that face-to-face manual handling training makes a real difference. Our practical sessions help staff:
✅ Understand real-world risks
✅ Build confidence
✅ Apply safe techniques correctly 

By investing in tailored, face-to-face training, you’re not just meeting a requirement; you’re protecting your team and improving workplace safety. 

WS Training Manual Handling Course 

Our Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (RQF) course is aimed at those who carry out manual handling activities at work.  

Mizkan completed our WS Training Manual Handling course, and it was tailored to meet their business needs. It was delivered through face-to-face, trainer-led sessions on their premises. The course covered both practical and theoretical elements and included tailored examples relevant to the delegates’ specific work environment. 

The manual handling course they took part in covered the following topics: 

• Key legislation and responsibilities 

• Common manual handling injuries and how to prevent them 

• Safe lifting techniques and posture 

• Risk assessment and control measures 

By including both practical and theoretical elements, the course ensured delegates were not only informed but confident in applying what they learned. The content was also tailored with real-life examples relevant to their specific work environment, making the content engaging, relatable, and immediately applicable. 

Booking a course with WS Training 

There are many benefits to booking your Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (RQF) with us. From the outset, you’ll have a dedicated point of contact, ensuring clear communication and support throughout the booking process. Your delegates will also have access to learner support during the course to help them get the most out of their training. We know that a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t always deliver the best results, which is why we adapt our delivery to suit your team’s needs, learning styles, and working environment.  

Designated Point of Contact  

When you enquire about one of our courses, you’ll be assigned a designated point of contact to guide you through the booking process. For Mizkan, that was Joe, WS Training’s Commercial Training Business Development Manager. From the initial conversation to confirming the booking, Joe provided advice and support every step of the way. He began by discussing Mizkan’s current needs and objectives, explored the source of the training requirement, and then proposed a tailored solution to meet their specific goals.

Emma liaised with Joe and said, “Joe is very friendly and accommodating, he always responds back promptly. He is helpful if we need short-notice training. He helps us to include some training specific to our site if required. He offers us alternative dates and training, which is very flexible.  Any issues, Joe is always happy to support us and find a solution.” 

Learner Support (delegates)   

Delegates have access to learner support, available from 8:30 to 5 via our dedicated support line. Our team can assist with a wide range of needs, including understanding course content, time management, and navigating learning platforms. Support is also available for learners with additional educational needs or learning challenges, ensuring an inclusive and supportive learning environment for everyone. 

Tailored approach  

Throughout this article, we’ve shown how Mizkan tailored the training to their needs, but what does that really mean?

At WS Training, learning is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that everyone learns differently, and training needs to fit into the organisation’s requirements, which is why we offer a variety of tailored solutions. It’s not just manual handling courses that can be customised. When you enquire about any course, our sales team will discuss your specific requirements and work with you to design a solution that fits your team, their roles, and your working environment. 

Tailored course outlines 

The standard Principles of Manual Handling course focuses mainly on theory and usually excludes practical elements or any assessment of how delegates apply techniques. However, many people learn best through hands-on experience. 

Mizkan approached us seeking manual handling training that would be more effective than their previous online sessions and include practical elements. They weren’t sure which course would meet their needs or whether that level of customisation was possible. We recommended the Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling (RQF) course and tailored it specifically to their requirements, not just in content, but also in delivery. 

For Mizkan, we adapted the course to include a practical assessment, where learners demonstrated manual handling techniques. The tutor observed and assessed each delegate, ensuring they could confidently and correctly apply what they had learned in real-world scenarios. 

If you’d like a course to be tailored to your specific needs, be sure to ask when booking. Please note that there may be a fee for fully rewriting a course to meet custom requirements. 

Tailored timings 

Our standard Manual handling training is delivered over half a day. Mizkan explained their requirements, and we provided a full-day course for them. We discussed offering an accredited course the Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling, regulated by Ofqual. Mizkan wanted to train 50 staff members, but found it impractical to send 10 people a day to our training centre due to their shift patterns. 

While our standard training runs 9am–5pm at our centre, we adapted the schedule to fit Mizkan’s operations. Our trainer delivered on-site sessions during their working hours, including early morning (6am–2pm), daytime (10am–6pm), and evening shifts, ensuring minimal disruption to production while providing high-quality training. 

We will always do our best to ensure training fits your team’s needs, schedule, and working environment. When Mizkan was asked how well this worked for them, they said, “Very well as they have covered a 3-shift pattern including night shifts.”   

Location 

We offer complete flexibility when it comes to where your training takes place. You can join us at our fully equipped training centre, or we can deliver the course at your chosen location. 

One great example of this in action is our recent training for Mizkan, where our trainer delivered the course on-site. This proved to be the most efficient and flexible solution. Staff didn’t have to travel, making the sessions familiar and accessible, while still ensuring high-quality training. As mentioned earlier, Mizkan needed to train 50 staff, but their shift patterns made travel to our centre impractical.  Delivering the training on-site allowed us to minimise disruption and fit seamlessly around their operations. 

We often tailor the training location for our clients, with our trainers delivering sessions on-site at your premises. Before the training, we’ll ask you to complete a pre-visit checklist. This helps us understand the nature of your site and any specific requirements, ensuring our trainer arrives fully prepared to deliver relevant, site-specific content that meets your organisation’s needs.

When Mizkan was asked how well this worked for them, they said, “Very well, as we provided a classroom and practical area with trolley and boxes for the course to take place. Training was much better to organise on site to ensure good attendance. The Trainer put everyone at ease from the beginning and was very helpful and gave feedback on pass rates the same day.” 

The Outcome 

The feedback from Mizkan staff following the training was overwhelmingly positive: 

• 100% rated very good/excellent towards the trainer’s support and guidance 

• 80% of delegates rated the trainer 9 or above 

• 80% of delegates rated the course materials very good/excellent 

• 87% of delegates rated the course contents very good/excellent 

• 87% of delegates rated very good/excellent when asked what they thought of the trainer’s ability to hold their interest 

One delegate commented, “Very helpful and insightful lady. I’m a nervous test taker and she made everything calm and relaxed. It really helped me.” 

Manual handling injuries continue to pose a significant risk across many industries. This is especially noticeable in environments like food production, where physical tasks are routine. The statistics speak for themselves, and so does the positive impact of high-quality, practical training. 

Mizkan’s experience shows how effective tailored, in-person training can be. By choosing WS Training, they not only reduced disruption to their operations but also provided their staff with meaningful, hands-on learning that made a lasting impression. 

If your business is looking to go beyond tick-box training and invest in safer, more confident teams, we’re here to help. Whether it’s at one of our training centres or delivered on-site to suit your shift patterns, we’ll work with you to create a course that fits your people and your business.

Emma explained that “The feedback from this course was very positive and preferred face to face training course over e-learning as had a better visual understanding and could ask the trainer questions.” 

Find out more about manual handling training with WS Training

Contact us today by phone or email to discuss your training needs. Your dedicated point of contact will guide you through the process and help design the perfect manual handling course for your team. 

View the course: https://www.wstraining.co.uk/courses/qualsafe-level-2-award-in-safe-moving-and-handling-rqf/