Manual Handling - Online Version

This is a blended online and classroom training course which will help you to comply with the law and recognise the importance of good back care. It also offers a range of useful and practical information in relation to manual handling. The course consists of 7 units and Units 1–6 are covered online. The online component of the course takes 90 minutes to complete. Unit 7 will focus on the practical demonstrations and assessment and will be delivered in the classroom by an experienced manual handling instructor.

This course has been designed to ensure students are sufficiently trained and able to apply the principles and practices of safe handling in the workplace. It addresses the relevant manual handling legislation in Ireland and also the responsibilities of the employer and the employee under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The training course explains the basic anatomy of the spine together with common manual handling injuries in the workplace. Safe working practices for manual handling are outlined combined with the procedure for carrying out manual handling risk assessments. Completion of this course will assist employees in taking care of their backs, and reducing the risk of injury, while ensuring employers are compliant with the law in the provision of manual handling training.

Aim of the Training

The aim of the course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and training to comply with the law and to utilize correct manual handling techniques which will assist in reducing the risk of manual handling injuries in the workplace.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students will be able to:

Identify the relevant manual handling legislation in Ireland
Explain the anatomy of the spinal column
Recognise how incorrect manual handling technique can lead to injury
Outline the benefits of fitness and flexibility in the workplace
Describe the role of ergonomics and risk assessment in manual handling
State the 8 principles of safe manual handling

Course Content

There are two components to this course. Units 1-6 are undertaken online and Unit 7 is classroom learning.

Unit 1: Manual Handling Legislation

• Reasons to Manage Manual Handling
• Definition of Manual Handling
• General Duties of the Employer
• Duties of the Employee
• Duties of the Employer in relation to Manual Handling

Unit 2 The Musculoskeletal System

• Structure and functions of the spine
• The vertebrae
• Spinal discs
• The spinal cord
• Ligaments and tendons
• Muscles in movement
• Joints of the spine
• The process of movement

Unit 3 Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Neck and upper limb disorders
• Lower limb disorders
• Disorders of the back
• Risk factors for manual handling
• Unit 4 Fitness and Flexibility

Fitness and Flexibility

• Benefits of stretching
• Good posture
• Healthy Lifestyle
• Unit 5: Ergonomics and Risk Assessment

What is Ergonomics?

• Benefits of good workplace ergonomics
• Manual handling risk assessment

Unit 6: Safe Handling Techniques

• The 8 principles of manual handling
• Lifting from the floor (theory)
• Lifting to waist height (theory)
• Lifting to a height (theory)
• Pushing and pulling (theory)
• Team lift (theory)

Unit 7: Practical Manual Handling

This unit is carried out in the classroom and demonstrates how the principles of manual handling can be put into practice to include:

• Carrying
• Pushing and pulling
• Lifting from low levels
• Lowering from a height
• Team lifting principles
• Further information on minding your own back

Assessment

On completion of the course, students are required to complete an end of course quiz consisting of 20 multiple choice style questions. You must achieve 80% in this assessment in order to successfully complete the course. You will have 2 attempts to complete the quiz.

Following successful completion of the online course, you will then be required to undertake a short classroom based assessment in order to be fully Manual Handling Certified. 

Certificate

Your Manual Handling certificate, which is valid for 2 years, will issued to you on verification of completion via email.