OnlineManual Handling

Anyone whose job involves moving, handling or pushing loads should complete manual handling training. This includes roles in warehouses, construction, healthcare, retail, and hospitality.

First, think about these questions.

• Do individuals require to move or carry objects frequently?
• Do they need to move or carry objects a long way?
• Does their moving, handling or lifting require reaching up high or bending down?
• Does their moving, handling or lifting require twisting, flexing or any other awkward postures?
• Has anyone in your team experienced musculoskeletal disorders or related absence due to work activities previously?
• Are team lifts required?

If any of your answers are ‘yes’, then, Manual Handling training is likely appropriate. The extent of training should be proportional to the assessed risk.

On successful completion of this Manual Handling training course, learners will be able to:

• Understand what manual handling injuries are and identify their common causes.
• Recognise the risks associated with poor moving and handling practices and understand the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
• Assess the risks involved in any manual handling activity.
• Apply safe procedures for common lifting tasks, including team lifts, pushing and pulling, and lifting from heights.
• Identify suitable mechanical aids for specific tasks and understand their proper use.

Incorrect manual handling can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including back pain, strains, and long-term injuries, which are a major cause of workplace absence in the UK.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are conditions that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or bones. These disorders are often caused or aggravated by poor posture, repetitive movements, or unsafe manual handling practices.

Common examples include:

• Lower back pain
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Herniated or slipped discs

Many of these conditions can be prevented by using proper manual handling techniques and maintaining safe working practices.

Yes.  Duties arising under the Manual Handling Regulations (Amended 2002) require employers to take all ‘reasonably practicable’ steps to reduce risks from lifting activities to an ‘appropriate’ level.  The UK HSE offer a helpful guide (HERE).

In short employers must:

1. Assessing the risks from lifting and manual handling
2. Eliminate manual handling activities if possible and reasonable. For example provide mechanical aids like pallet trucks.
3. Reduce the risks from any remaining activities for example though staff training.
4. Periodically reassessing risks, including gathering staff in feedback

In addition under The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all organisations must risk assess.  Those with 5 or more employees must write down their risk assessments.  Organisation should maintain safety records – this including records of training such as the Echo3 Manual Handling certificate.

Completion of this training by staff helps you and your business meet your duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and as amended in 2002, in a cost-effective way.

The 8 principles of safe manual handling are:

1. Assess the task, the individual, the load and the environment
2. Have a Broad stable base,
3. Bend your knees
4. Keep you back straight
5. Have a firm palmer grip
6. Keep your arms in line with trunk
7. Weight close to your centre of gravity
8. Turn feet in direction of travel Let’s now look in more detail at how to conduct a safe lift and explore the 8 principles of manual handling.

Yes. Upon successful completion, you will receive an Echo3 certificate as proof of training, which can be used for compliance and workplace records.

Yes. Online manual handling training allows you to complete the course at your own pace on any internet-connected device.