The Real Risks of Manual Handling in the Workplace
Manual handling is a routine part of many jobs—lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving objects or people in your workplace. But when it’s done incorrectly, it quickly becomes one of the most common causes of injury in UK workplaces. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), manual handling injuries account for over 30% of reported injuries in the food and drink industry alone.
These injuries can include back problems, muscle strains, hernias and long-term musculoskeletal disorders. The consequences of poor manual handling doesn’t just affect individuals—they also result in costly absences, reduced productivity and potential legal action for employers.
Understanding these risks is the first step toward developing a proactive training strategy that reduces incidents and boosts employee wellbeing.
Why Training Is a Crucial Part of Workplace Safety
Training is essential for helping employees understand proper lifting techniques and recognise the common risks they may face during daily tasks. An accredited manual handling training course boosts confidence, reduces injury rates and supports a stronger safety culture across the organisation.
Even experienced workers can drift from proper technique over time, which is why regular refresher training is often recommended. It helps reinforce best practices, ensure up-to-date knowledge of regulations and correct any bad habits. Each learner leaves with practical skills they can apply immediately, improving safety from day one.
Effective training doesn’t just teach technique—it also improves decision-making in real-world scenarios. When employees know how to assess their environment, evaluate risks and use the right equipment, they become active participants in maintaining a safe workplace.
What the Law Says: Employer Responsibilities Explained
Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers have a legal obligation to protect staff from the risks of poor manual handling.
These regulations require businesses to:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks wherever possible
- Conduct a risk assessment of unavoidable manual handling activities
- Provide necessary information and training to reduce the risk of injuries
While the regulations do not prescribe a specific format, they make it clear that employers must provide suitable information and training to reduce manual handling risks. This means training is legally required in principle, but employers have flexibility in how it is delivered. Employers must demonstrate that they have assessed manual handling risks and taken appropriate steps to reduce them, including providing clear guidance on lifting techniques and ensuring that all staff are trained and competent in manual handling.
Non-compliance can lead to enforcement action, compensation claims and reputational harm. That’s why many organisations work with professional health and safety consultants to ensure compliance.
What’s Included in a Manual Handling Training Course
At Safety at Work Solutions, we offer two types of manual handling training courses designed to meet different needs. Whether you need a short session to raise awareness or a more in-depth qualification, our manual handling courses are practical, flexible and built around real workplace challenges.
Both courses are delivered in accordance with NUCO and City & Guilds standards, ensuring they meet recognised benchmarks for quality and safety in training.
Manual Handling Awareness (2 Hours)
This introductory course is ideal for teams who need a clear, accessible overview of manual handling risks and safety basics. It’s available as online manual handling training or delivered in person, making it easy to fit around busy schedules.
What to expect:
- Around 2 hours of learning, with access until completion
- A focus on everyday risks, injuries and safe movement techniques
- Useful for general workplace roles across all sectors
- No limit on learner numbers — great for group rollouts
- A manual handling certificate is awarded upon completion
This format is perfect for raising baseline awareness and encouraging a safety-first mindset across your organisation.
Manual Handling Level 2 Award (6 Hours)
This classroom-based manual handling training course is suited for staff who regularly carry out lifting or moving tasks — especially where risks are higher or site-specific handling is required.
By the end of the course, learners will:
- Understand why proper manual handling matters
- Learn how to contribute to and carry out risk assessments
- Explore the use of equipment, safe movement methods and workplace scenarios
- Apply practical skills through hands-on exercises
We’ve found that delivering this training on-site helps teams apply what they learn straight away. It’s more relevant, more engaging and often leads to stronger adoption of safe practices. Plus, your staff train together — helping reinforce a shared understanding of compliance.
The Business Benefits of Manual Handling Training
Ensuring your staff are correctly trained in Manual Handling courses provides clear benefits beyond basic compliance. Employers who invest in proper training see:
- Reduced absenteeism from fewer workplace injuries
- Improved productivity from confident and competent staff
- Cost savings by avoiding claims and penalties
- Enhanced safety culture through consistent messaging
Displaying a certified handling course certificate shows a clear commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement. It also provides valuable evidence during audits or liability claims, demonstrating that your organisation has taken proactive, documented steps to reduce risk and protect employees.
A consistent training programme also reinforces handling best practice across departments. It ensures that whether employees are new starters or long-term staff, everyone is aligned on safe moving and handling procedures.
Why Work with Safety at Work Solutions?
As a trusted health and safety consultancy, Safety at Work Solutions delivers high-quality, accessible training that meets necessary legal and operational requirements. When you work with us, you get:
- Certified manual handling courses with flexible online access
- Expert-led course materials developed for real-world use
- Ongoing support from qualified health and safety consultants
- Scalable training options with unlimited learner capacity
Whether you’re looking to train a small team or roll out manual handling awareness training across multiple locations, we provide flexible solutions that align with your organisation’s needs and compliance targets.
To further support your compliance strategy, we also offer expert consultancy services, including tailored risk assessments and policy development support, to help you embed manual handling training within a wider safety strategy and maintain long-term compliance.
Final Thoughts: Reduce Injuries, Meet Your Duties, Stay Compliant
Poor manual handling can have serious consequences, but the risks are avoidable. A structured manual handling training course helps employers meet legal duties, protect staff and improve workplace performance.
Our manual handling training courses offer flexible, certified options that give your team the knowledge they need to work safely and confidently. All instructors at Safety at Work Solutions are experienced and fully qualified in line with City & Guilds standards, providing assurance that training meets recognised industry benchmarks.
With expert support and industry-recognised certification, it’s a smart step toward better workplace safety.
Book your Manual Handling Training course today and take the first step toward a safer workplace.