Manual Handling Awareness Course

Essential Manual Handling Knowledge: Build a clear understanding of safe lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling techniques to help reduce the risk of workplace injury.

Legal Compliance Support: Gain training that supports compliance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and wider health and safety duties placed on employers and employees.

Reduced Risk Of Injury: Learn how poor manual handling leads to sprains, strains, back injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders, and how to reduce these risks through safer practice.

Improved Hazard Awareness: Develop the ability to identify manual handling hazards, assess tasks more effectively, and take sensible action before injuries occur.

Better Practical Technique: Understand how posture, movement, load handling, and task planning all contribute to safer and more effective manual handling.

Stronger Workplace Safety Culture: Support a safer working environment by improving awareness, encouraging good habits, and helping protect both individuals and teams.

The Manual Handling Awareness Course is designed for employees and self-employed individuals who regularly carry out manual handling tasks in a managed working environment. It is especially valuable for candidates involved in repeated lifting, moving, carrying, pushing, or pulling activities as part of their day-to-day role.

This manual handling training is suitable for employees and self-employed workers who carry out manual handling tasks as part of their job. It is commonly taken by candidates working in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, retail, maintenance, and other physically active roles.

What Is Manual Handling?

Define the term manual handling.

Manual Handling Tasks

Differentiate between manual handling and non-manual handling tasks.

List common manual handling tasks within the candidate’s work environment.

The Spine

List the key functions of the spine.

List the regions of the spine.

Outline the function of the spinal discs.

Explain the lever principle in relation to manual handling.

Manual Handling Injuries

List common manual handling injuries.

Give examples of how different manual handling injuries may occur.

Explain what is meant by the terms prolapsed disc and hernia.

Cost Of Poor Manual Handling

Outline the costs to businesses and individuals associated with manual handling injuries.

The Law

Outline the requirements of the following:

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

Outline the consequences of not complying with health and safety legislation.

Manual Handling Regulations

Outline employee responsibilities related to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

Outline employer responsibilities under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

Identify manual handling operations within the work environment.

Identify ways of avoiding manual handling operations.

Manual Handling Risk Assessment

Outline the principles of a risk assessment.

Outline the competencies of a manual handling risk assessor.

List the steps involved in a manual handling risk assessment.

Give examples for each of the main manual handling hazard groups.

Outline the hierarchy of control in relation to a manual handling risk assessment.

Identify control measures for a range of risks.

Outline the principles for recording and reviewing risk assessments.

Safer Handling Techniques

Describe safer lifting and movement principles used in manual handling.

Manual Handling Equipment

Identify equipment that can be used to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.

Describe the principles of testing, servicing, and examination of manual handling and lifting equipment.

The method of assessment is a one-step journey:

Step 1. Multiple Choice Exam

Assessment is completed by a multiple-choice question paper at the end of the course. Candidates are also expected to actively participate throughout the training session.

What Is A Manual Handling Awareness Course?

A Manual Handling Awareness Course teaches candidates how to lift, carry, push, pull, and move items more safely at work. It covers hazards, risk assessment, safe techniques, and the practical steps needed to reduce manual handling injuries in the workplace.

How Long Does The Manual Handling Course Take?

The Manual Handling Awareness Course is typically delivered over half a day. It provides a practical introduction to safe manual handling principles without taking candidates away from the workplace for long periods.

What Does Manual Handling Training Cover?

Manual handling awareness training covers topics such as lifting techniques, common injuries, the structure of the spine, risk assessment, legal responsibilities, safer movement principles, and equipment used to reduce manual handling risks.

Is This Manual Handling Course Compliant With UK Legislation?

Yes. This course supports compliance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and helps employers meet their responsibilities to reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling tasks.

Can The Manual Handling Awareness Course Be Delivered At Our Workplace?

Yes. Acadame can deliver manual handling training onsite for employers across the UK. We also run scheduled courses from centres in Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, Manchester, and Liverpool, with further local options available through our partner network.

Will Candidates Receive A Certificate After Completing Manual Handling Training?

Yes. Successful candidates will receive certification to confirm they have completed the Manual Handling Awareness Course, supporting workplace compliance and training records.

How Often Should Manual Handling Training Be Refreshed?

Many employers choose to refresh manual handling awareness training every 2 to 3 years, or sooner where tasks, equipment, processes, or risk levels change. Refresher training helps keep safe working practices current and effective.

What Is The Difference Between Manual Handling Awareness Training And Manual Handling Train the Trainer?

Manual Handling Awareness training is designed for staff who carry out manual handling tasks themselves. Manual Handling Train the Trainer is for those who need to deliver manual handling training internally within their organisation.

Is There An Online Manual Handling Course Available?

Yes. Acadame also offers manual handling eLearning, which is a useful option for refresher training, remote staff, or businesses looking for flexible online learning alongside classroom or onsite delivery.