Over the past two weeks, we’ve unpacked why most manual handling training fails and why habit-change is the missing link that turns knowledge into lasting behavioural change.
Now, let’s dive into the next crucial question – How do we actually build a habit?
The good news is it’s not rocket science – but it is brain science.
The Neuroscience of Habit
We now know that when we repeat an action consistently over time, we move it from the “thinking” part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) to the “doing” part (the basal ganglia). That’s when it becomes automatic.
This is why we can drive a familiar route without thinking, or tie our shoelaces without effort. It’s not about remembering, it’s about re-wiring.
So if we want safe movement to become the default, not the exception, we have to create the conditions that allow a new habit to take root and repeat.
The Habit Formula
Habits follow a predictable cycle: (the work of Charles Duhigg)
Cue – a trigger that tells your brain to start the behaviour
Routine – the behaviour itself
Reward – something that reinforces the behaviour and makes you want to do it again
In the context of manual handling, it might look like this:
Cue: The first 5 items of each new pallet order
Routine: Concentrate on moving your feet – your toes face the same direction as your nose
Reward: Less strain in back – putting the groundwork into being physically intelligent and protecting your body
Make It Stick – Practical Strategies That Work
Here’s how to apply this in real-world settings:
1. Anchor it to something you already do
Link new movement habits to existing routines.
Examples:
– Every time you return from a break, be conscious of how you move for the first minute.
– When stacking the dishwasher at home, practise bending with balance.
2. Use environmental cues
Visual prompts like posters, decals, or floor markers in high-risk areas act as nudges.
But don’t rely on them alone because over time, visual clutter fades into the background. Combine them with real conversations and human reminders to keep the message fresh.
3. Get others involved
Use peer-to-peer support, buddy systems, and workplace champions to keep momentum going.
A tap on the shoulder or a quick, “Hey, remember to breathe out when you are lifting,” can be more effective than any sign on the wall.
4. Reinforce in the rhythm of work
Weave reminders into the natural flow of the day — toolbox talks, task briefs, H&S meetings, and even discomfort reporting. Just 30 seconds revisiting one movement principle and how it applies can refresh the habit loop and keep safe movement front of mind.
5. Reward progress, not perfection
Celebrate small wins. Catch people doing it right.
Encourage workers to share stories of how improving their technique reduced discomfort or made a task easier. Peer learning is powerful — especially when it comes from someone doing the same job.
What Doesn’t Work
Expecting people to remember new techniques when they are under pressure
Thinking one-off training will create lasting change
Thinking knowledge = behaviour
Skipping reinforcement and ignoring how habits are formed in the brain
What First Move Does
Our First Move programme is designed with habit formation at its core. We:
Build movement skills through repetition and feedback
Use environmental and social cues to reinforce daily use
Provide habit-building resources to keep momentum going after the session
Help leaders embed reminders into the daily rhythm of work
Because safe movement shouldn’t require conscious thought – It should be your default. Your instinct. Your automatic.
Next week: We close the loop by looking at what happens after the training — and why so many programmes fail not in delivery, but in follow-through.