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.

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.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 306 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Martin Stronach 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Having recently completed my FREC 3 re-qualification with Toby Osbourne at Optimal First Aid; I can sincerely say.

Three years ago, when I first completed FREC 3 with a different provider, the mindset was strictly transactional, it was treated as a box-ticking exercise just to secure the licence required for my field.

Fast forward to today, and my perspective has completely shifted. FREC 3 isn't just about maintaining a licence to operate; it’s about honing a vital skill set. Toby and the team at Optimal First Aid reinforced this from day one.

Within just two days of training, I felt more competent, confident, and current in my scope of practice than I have in the last three years.

Same qualification, but a completely different level of delivery:

Realistic Scenarios: The practical exercises are as close to real-life operations as it gets.

Exceptional Instruction: The level of knowledge and teaching standard is truly commendable.

Exceptional equipment: Fully operational,  kit, required for first responders.

Realistic Props: Immersive scenario setups, reinforceing the realities of operational environments.

Toby and Optimal First Aid have completely transformed my approach. FREC 3 isn't a means to an end, when taught correctly, it ensures operators are mentally and physically prepared to handle real emergencies effectively.

A massive thank you Toby, and I will definitely be back for subsequent training.

I can wholeheartedly reccomend Toby, and Optimal First Aid to anyone looking to excel as a Responder.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   becky walker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve done my FREC 3 course this week and wow! Absolutely amazing! Very impressed with delivery, equipment availability, knowledge of the instructor!

Highly recommend!

Thank you to the team @optimalfirstaid!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Diako Serwd 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing FREC 3 course . Toby kept us engaged throughout the whole course and had a lot of hands on training. This course ISNT PowerPoint death . Will definitely be back for my FREC 4
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   J Stelfox 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic experience on the 5 day FREC 3 course. Toby delivers the content in away that keep you constantly engaged and every practical scenario has something new and challenging to focus on. Very supportive environment with so much to learn. Thank you for the experience it has been very valuable!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joe Newton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Extremely well run FREC-3 course, very engaging and would highly recommend. Feel very confident following the course putting it all into practise
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sophie Edwards 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really enjoyed completing my FREC 3 course with Optimal First Aid. The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly and made the whole course enjoyable while still keeping it professional and challenging. There was a good mix of theory and hands-on training, and everything was explained clearly with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and practise the skills. I came away feeling much more confident in dealing with different situations. Would definitely recommend Optimal First Aid to anyone looking to complete their FREC 3.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lianne Evans 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Today I took part in a first aid course with optimal first aid limited. It was thorough, informative and engaging. Our trainer, Toby was friendly and professional.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Suzy Crane 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic explanations given during this First Aid training in Devon. Best I’ve had.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ethan Paynter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent day of First aid training. Toby came out to our work place and was very competent in his delivery.

All content was very well taught.

There was a real emphasis on being practical and hands on especially with the CPR training and AED training.

Im confident I can apply what ive learnt today
Would recommend
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chloe Lee 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great first aid training, informative, fun and hugely helpful.

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.

Manual Handling Awareness

Manual Handling Awareness Training

3-Hour Workplace Course | Certificate of Completion | On-Site Training Available

Manual Handling Awareness Training

What Is Manual Handling?

Who Should Attend?

What Does the Course Cover?

Course Duration

Certification

On-Site Manual Handling Training

Why Choose Optimal First Aid?

Book Manual Handling Awareness Training

FAQ

How long does the Manual Handling Awareness course take?

Who should attend Manual Handling Awareness Training?

Is there a practical assessment?

How long is the certificate valid for?

Can the course be delivered at our workplace?

Is Manual Handling Awareness Training accredited?

Contact Us