Manual Handling Awareness for Construction Workers

The Manual Handling Awareness for Construction Workers eLearning course provides learners with an understanding of the risks associated with manual handling activities in construction environments and the principles that can be applied to reduce the likelihood of injury.

The course explores common construction-related manual handling hazards, including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials, tools and equipment. Learners will consider how to assess handling activities, recognise factors that increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury and apply safer handling principles when undertaking construction work.

Who Should Attend?

• Construction workers and site operatives.
• Labourers and tradespeople.
• Contractors and subcontractors.
• Employees who regularly move construction materials, tools or equipment.
• Apprentices and new starters working in construction environments.
• Managers and supervisors responsible for construction activities.
• Anyone undertaking manual handling activities on construction sites.

What You Will Learn

• What is meant by manual handling.
• Common manual handling activities within construction environments.
• How manual handling can contribute to injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.
• Common construction-related manual handling hazards.
• Understanding the importance of avoiding hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable.
• Assessing a manual handling activity before beginning.
• Considering the task, individual, load and working environment.
• Recognising heavy, bulky, unstable or difficult-to-handle construction materials.
• Considering the size, shape and weight of materials and equipment.
• Recognising individual capabilities and limitations.
• Considering uneven ground, restricted spaces and other site conditions.
• Planning an appropriate route before moving materials or equipment.
• Principles of safer lifting and handling.
• Maintaining a stable position when handling loads.
• Keeping loads appropriately positioned in relation to the body.
• Avoiding unnecessary twisting, reaching and sudden movements.
• Safe principles for lowering and placing materials.
• Risks associated with repetitive handling activities.
• Awareness of safer pushing and pulling practices.
• Using mechanical handling aids and equipment where appropriate.
• Recognising when team handling or additional assistance may be required.
• Understanding the importance of appropriate information, instruction and training.
• Recognising when a handling activity should not be attempted.
• Reporting manual handling hazards, injuries and concerns.
• Following site risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work.
• Contributing to safer manual handling practices within construction environments.

Course Delivery

This course is delivered as self-directed eLearning through the ELMO learning platform.

Learners can work through the course at their own pace and can move backwards and forwards through the learning content as required. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting, allowing learners to leave and return to their training where necessary.

Interactive activities may be included throughout the course to reinforce key learning points.

Assessment

Knowledge and understanding are checked through online assessment activities. Depending on the course content, these may include multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, drag-and-drop activities and image-based questions.

A minimum score of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment requirements, learners will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate of Training.

This is an awareness-based eLearning course and does not provide or demonstrate practical competence in manual handling techniques. Where manual handling activities present significant risks, employers must ensure workers receive appropriate task-specific information, instruction, practical training and supervision.

Course Duration

The course is self-directed and learners can progress through the content at their own pace. Completion time may therefore vary depending on the individual learner.