Manual Handling (Including Animate Handling)

Course Overview

Manual handling, or to be accurate, incorrect manual handling, is one of the most common causes of injury at work. To try and combat manual handling problems, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations were introduced. The Regulations lay out duties for both employees and employers.

About This Course

Manual handling, or to be accurate, incorrect manual handling, is one of the most common causes of injury at work. To try and combat manual handling problems, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations were introduced. The Regulations lay out duties for both employees and employers.

They give a general requirement that employees must be trained to manually handle correctly including the use of any equipment their employer provides to handle loads safely. This course outlines exactly what constitutes manual handling and covers the regulations and legislation that apply to manual handling tasks. It then goes on to cover safe handling techniques and how to develop good habits in relation to manual handling.

It finishes off by introducing some practical solutions and the use of mechanical aids. Please note that this is an awareness course only, if your duties include manual handling you will also need further practical training, you can get in touch with us to arrange this. Training your employees with our online system will go a long way to giving them greater awareness of the dangers that poor manual handling poses, as well as covering safe handling techniques, practical solutions to manual handling issues and the use of mechanical aids.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define Manual Handling and state the correct technique and application of effective Manual Handling.
• Understand the relevant legislation and comply with the regulations.
• Recognise safe handling techniques and be able to develop good habits.
• Evaluate every manual situation you encounter, recognising risks and when to use mechanical aids.
• Understand the consequences on the body of incorrect handling and the dangers associated.
• State the professionals most at risk from incorrect handling techniques.

Using this Manual Handling (Including Animate Handling) course in Irish social care settings

This online social care course can support induction, refresher learning and training records for Irish care, support, education and community-service teams. It is useful where a provider wants a consistent awareness module before local policy instruction, supervision or practical skills training.

The course should be matched to the learner's role, the people they support, the service type, local procedures and any practical competence required. Online learning works best when it sits inside a wider training matrix and is followed up by managers or supervisors.

Phoenix STS presents this online course with the course information PDF and sample certificate available on this page, so employers can review the content and evidence before assigning it.

For moving and handling or animate handling, online learning should not replace practical assessment, handling plans, equipment familiarisation or observation of real tasks.

Course information PDF

View or download the course information PDF before enrolling. It summarises the course content, expected duration and assessment information.

Sample certificate

View or download a sample certificate for this online course. The final certificate is issued through the online course platform after the learner successfully completes the course and assessment.

Why online manual and animate handling needs context

This online course supports awareness and refresher learning. It does not remove the need for practical training where the learner's role involves manual handling, people handling, equipment use or care-setting procedures that must be observed and assessed.

Phoenix STS bases its advice on HSA manual handling guidance and HSE people-handling guidance. The normal refresher reference point is not more than three years, with earlier refresher training where work, equipment, resident needs or risk assessment changes.

Supporting guidance links

HSA manual handling training FAQs.

HSE manual handling and people handling training.

Phoenix STS blended learning timeframes.

Client administrator responsibility

Where a client appoints an administrator to manage learner access, that administrator is responsible for checking that each learner has completed the relevant online training programme before the learner presents for the face-to-face practical element.

Learners must be able to show the relevant online completion certificate, printout, PDF or screenshot before the practical session starts. If the online programme has not been completed, or the learner is not in possession of the required completion evidence before the practical element begins, Phoenix STS may be unable to validate that learner for the practical element or issue certification for the blended programme.

This responsibility sits with the customer where they control learner administration and course access. Phoenix STS will still carry out any checks that are required by a regulator, awarding body, recognised institution, approved training institution or course-specific rule, including checks on identity, previous qualification, certification or eligibility where those checks are required.

See also: Phoenix STS blended learning timeframes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Manual Handling (Including Animate Handling) course suitable for?

It is suitable for learners whose role, induction plan or refresher training matrix includes this topic. Employers should decide suitability by looking at the learner's duties, the people supported, the service setting and any practical skills required.

Can this online course stand on its own?

It can provide useful awareness and completion evidence, but many social care topics also require local policy instruction, supervision, practical training or competency checks. The course should be used as part of a wider training and governance process.

What evidence is available before enrolment?

The course information PDF and sample certificate on this page allow managers to review the course content and expected completion evidence before assigning it to a learner.

Related online course categories

Continue browsing related Phoenix STS online training categories. These internal links help learners find the most relevant course route for their role or sector.