Manual Handling Awareness Training
3-Hour Workplace Course | Certificate of Completion | On-Site Training Available
Manual handling is a common part of everyday work, from lifting deliveries and moving stock to carrying equipment and pushing trolleys.
Our Manual Handling Awareness Training helps employees understand the risks associated with manual handling, how to assess those risks and the principles of safer working practices.
Delivered by Optimal First Aid, this 3-hour instructor-led course is suitable for businesses and organisations across Devon and the South West.
Manual Handling Awareness Training
Manual handling injuries can occur across almost any workplace. Providing employees with appropriate information and training can help them recognise hazards, understand their responsibilities and make safer decisions before attempting a manual handling task.
This course provides employees with an understanding of manual handling risks, risk assessment and safer movement principles that they can apply within their own working environment.
The course is designed as theory-based awareness training and does not include practical competency assessment.
What Is Manual Handling?
Manual handling includes activities involving the transporting or supporting of a load, including lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling and moving.
Common workplace examples include:
- Lifting boxes and deliveries
- Carrying equipment and supplies
- Moving stock and materials
- Pushing or pulling trolleys
- Moving furniture or equipment
- Handling awkward or unusual loads
- Team handling activities
Poor manual handling can contribute to injuries including back injuries, muscular strains and sprains. Risk can also be increased by factors such as poor posture, heavy lifting, twisting and bending.
Who Should Attend?
Manual Handling Awareness Training is suitable for employees who undertake, or may undertake, manual handling as part of their work.
This can include employees working in:
- Warehousing and distribution
- Manufacturing
- Construction and trades
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Schools and education
- Facilities and maintenance
- Offices
- Outdoor and land-based environments
- General workplace settings
It is also suitable for new starters, employees returning to work and refresher training.
No previous manual handling training is required.
What Does the Course Cover?
Manual Handling Risks
Learners will develop an understanding of:
- What manual handling means
- Common workplace manual handling activities
- Potential injuries and ill health
- Common causes of manual handling injuries
- Task and individual factors that can increase risk
Legal Responsibilities
Learners are introduced to relevant employer and employee responsibilities, including principles contained within:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The course also considers safe systems of work and employees’ responsibilities to follow the information, training and equipment provided by their employer.
Safer Movement Principles
- Basic structure and function of the spine
- Natural spinal curves
- Centre of gravity
- Testing a load before attempting to move it
- Planning and positioning
- Safer lifting and lowering principles
- Awkward and unusual loads
- Team handling principles
- Using wheeled equipment
Learners are also introduced to manual handling aids and the importance of selecting suitable equipment for the task.
Course Duration
3 Hours
The course can be delivered at your workplace or another suitable training venue.
For organisations with employees who regularly undertake manual handling and require hands-on training, we also offer our Practical Manual Handling & Safe Moving course, which includes practical training and competency checks.
Certification
Learners who successfully complete the course receive an:
Optimal First Aid Ltd Manual Handling Awareness Certificate of Completion
This is an Optimal First Aid Ltd workplace training course and is not an RQF or awarding-organisation accredited qualification.
On-Site Manual Handling Training
Manual Handling Awareness Training can be delivered directly at your workplace.
On-site delivery allows the trainer to make discussions and examples more relevant to your employees’ working environment and the types of manual handling activities they encounter.
We provide workplace training for organisations across Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Devon and the wider South West.
Why Choose Optimal First Aid?
We believe workplace training needs to be relevant to the people actually doing the job.
Our Manual Handling Awareness course focuses on helping employees recognise risks, understand their responsibilities and make safer decisions, rather than simply treating manual handling training as another compliance exercise.
Training can be delivered for individual organisations and adapted to reflect the types of manual handling risks present within your workplace.
Book Manual Handling Awareness Training
If your organisation requires Manual Handling Awareness Training, Optimal First Aid can provide professional, cost-effective training delivered at your workplace.
Whether you are a care provider, warehouse operator, factory, school or business, we can help your staff develop safer manual handling practices and contribute to a safer workplace.
Contact us today to discuss your training requirements and arrange a course for your team.
FAQ
How long does the Manual Handling Awareness course take?
The course is typically delivered over approximately 3 hours and includes both theory and practical elements. Training can be delivered at your workplace, reducing disruption to your business.
Who should attend Manual Handling Awareness Training?
This course is suitable for anyone whose role involves lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or moving loads. It is particularly beneficial for staff working in care homes, warehouses, factories, retail, hospitality, construction and office environments.
Is there a practical assessment?
No. Manual Handling Awareness is a theory-based course. Employees who require hands-on training and competency assessment should complete our Practical Manual Handling & Safe Moving course.
How long is the certificate valid for?
Successful learners will receive a Manual Handling Awareness Certificate issued by Optimal First Aid Ltd, which is valid for 3 years. Refresher training is recommended to maintain knowledge and safe working practices.
Can the course be delivered at our workplace?
Yes. We specialise in delivering on-site training at your workplace, allowing staff to train in a familiar environment and reducing the need for travel. We can deliver training throughout Devon, Cornwall and the South West.
Is Manual Handling Awareness Training accredited?
No. This is an Optimal First Aid Ltd workplace training course and is not an RQF or awarding-organisation accredited qualification.
Contact Us
Tell us a little about your training requirements and we’ll get back to you, usually within one working hour. If you’re unsure which course you need, we’re happy to help.
