One point needs to be clear from the start. This course covers objects and loads. It does not teach how to move or transfer people, and it does not cover hoists or other handling equipment. Safe moving and handling of people needs practical, in-person training from a competent trainer.
The course is free, but you need to apply for a place. Every application is reviewed by a person, so access is not instant, and we cannot promise a start date.
Moving and handling course at a glance
- Cost
- free (application required; no payment is taken for the course, the assessment or the certificate)
- Study time
- around 1 hour, at your own pace
- Format
- online and self-paced
- Covers
- manual handling of objects and loads
- Does not cover
- moving and handling of people, or practical use of hoists and equipment
- Assessment
- online multiple-choice questions
- Certificate
- a certificate of completion issued by CareCertified
- Accreditation
- CPD accredited courses
- Application
- reviewed manually before enrolment
What is moving and handling training?
Manual handling means any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force, including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling and carrying. Poor handling is a common cause of back and other musculoskeletal injuries at work, which is why employers are expected to assess the risks and give staff the information and training they need.
In Great Britain the main legal framework is the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains the practical side on its manual handling pages. In short, employers should avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess any risk that cannot be avoided, and reduce it as far as reasonably practicable. Employees have a duty to follow safe systems of work and use equipment properly.
Why manual handling training matters
Back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common causes of work-related ill health. Many handling injuries build up over time rather than from one dramatic incident, so small habits matter. Good training helps you spot the risk before you lift, choose a safer approach and ask for help or equipment when a load is too heavy or awkward.
Who is this course for?
The course is aimed at people who handle loads as part of their work, including:
- care assistants, support workers and healthcare assistants
- nurses, therapists and other health and social care staff
- staff in childcare, education, catering, cleaning, facilities and maintenance
- people working in stores, deliveries or warehouses
It is also useful if you are starting a new job and want to understand the basics before practical training.
What this course is not
- It is not practical training. Lifting technique has to be shown and watched in the workplace, and your employer should give you practical instruction for any specific handling tasks you do.
- It does not teach people-handling techniques. If you move or assist people, you need separate, practical training for those tasks.
- It does not replace your employer's manual handling risk assessments or policies.
What you will learn
By the end of the course you should be able to:
- name common manual handling injuries and what usually causes them
- explain how the spine works and how bending, twisting and stooping can harm it
- describe how posture, stability, gravity and the position of a load affect the body
- explain the purpose of a manual handling risk assessment and your responsibilities under the regulations
- use the five-step approach to risk assessment and the TILEO checklist (task, individual, load, environment, other factors)
- recognise individual factors that can raise the risk of injury
- describe safer approaches to lifting from the floor, team handling, pushing and pulling
- apply simple ergonomic principles to everyday handling tasks
Course content
The cost of poor handling and how the body works
You start with the personal and workplace cost of manual handling injuries, then look at the structure of the spine and the other parts of the body at risk.
Posture, stability and movement
This module explains how gravity, balance and the way you hold a load influence posture, and how sitting and moving habits can add to strain.
Risk assessment
You are introduced to the regulations, the five-step approach, ergonomics and TILEO, together with the difference between a quick personal check and a formal assessment, and the individual factors that can increase risk.
Safer handling in practice
The final part covers safer principles for lifting from the floor, handling with other people, pushing and pulling, and working safely overall. Refresher training is something your employer decides on, so ask how often it is needed for your tasks.
Assessment, certificate and accreditation
You finish with an online multiple-choice assessment. If you pass, you can receive a certificate of completion issued by CareCertified.
A certificate of completion shows you finished this online course. It is not a regulated qualification and does not prove practical competence. Our courses are CPD accredited.
How to apply
- Choose the course and complete the application form.
- A member of our team reviews your application manually.
- If you are approved, we email you with details of how to begin.
- Study at your own pace and take the online assessment.
More detail is on the how to apply page.
Related free care training courses
Frequently asked questions
Can I do moving and handling training online?
You can learn the principles online, and this course covers them for objects and loads. Practical handling techniques, and any training in moving people, need to be taught and checked in person.
Is the moving and handling course free?
Yes. There is no charge for the course, the assessment or the certificate of completion. You apply for a place, and every application is reviewed by a person.
Does this course cover moving people?
No. It covers manual handling of objects and loads. If your job involves moving or assisting people, you need separate practical training from a competent trainer.
Is moving and handling training mandatory?
Employers must make sure employees are properly informed and trained where manual handling risks cannot be avoided. The training required depends on the tasks, so ask your employer what applies to your role.
How long does the course take?
We estimate around 1 hour of study.
How often is manual handling training needed?
Employers set the frequency, based on the risks of your tasks and changes in your work. Ask your manager what applies to your role.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. Our courses are CPD accredited. Until this is confirmed, we do not describe the course as accredited.