Manual Handling Courses: Manual Handling Training with STC
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Manual handling courses are essential for almost every workplace across Australia, from construction sites to aged care settings. Whether you’re lifting boxes, moving patients, or rearranging office furniture, proper manual handling techniques are essential for your safety and wellbeing at work.
According to Safe Work Australia, hazardous manual tasks are the largest cause of workplace injuries nationwide, with thousands of workers suffering serious musculoskeletal disorders each year due to improper techniques. These injuries not only impact individual workers but cost organisations millions in lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims.
Skills Training College (STC) delivers comprehensive manual handling training courses designed to equip your team with the skills and knowledge required to perform manual tasks safely. As a nationally recognised RTO (Registered Training Organisation), our courses meet the highest standards in work health and safety education, helping you minimise the risk of injury while ensuring compliance with WHS regulations.
STC's Manual Handling Training Course
Our manual handling courses cover all essential aspects of safe manual handling in a format that’s accessible for a generalist audience. Upon successful completion of the training course, participants will have the confidence to apply proper manual handling techniques in their work environment.
Evidence-based lifting and carrying techniques
The training takes participants through practical demonstrations of safe lifting techniques applicable to various workplace scenarios. Rather than relying on outdated “bend your knees” advice, our course offers evidence-based approaches to minimising risks during manual handling tasks. Participants learn how to assess their physical fitness in relation to the manual handling task at hand and determine when mechanical aids or team lifting is more appropriate than attempting a solo lift.
Risk assessment methodology for hazardous manual tasks
A critical component of safe manual handling is the ability to conduct proper risk assessment before attempting potentially hazardous manual tasks. Our manual handling training equips workers with a systematic approach to identifying hazards and implementing controls according to the hierarchy outlined in the code of practice from Safe Work Australia. This includes practical training in how to assess loads, environments, and individual capability factors that might impact safe manual handling activities.
Industry-specific applications
The course is designed to address manual handling across diverse workplace settings:
- For aged care workers and healthcare professionals, we focus on patient handling, including how to safely hold or restrain persons requiring assistance
- In education and care settings, techniques for managing both equipment and supporting young people
- For construction and manufacturing, guidance on materials handling and working with tools
- For office workers, ergonomic principles and safe computer workstation setup
Certification and Compliance
Our manual handling courses align with the latest Work Health and Safety legislation and follow Safe Work Australia’s guidelines. For participants requiring accredited training, we offer the HLTWHS005 Conduct Manual Tasks Safely course, which provides a nationally accredited qualification.
Each course includes comprehensive coverage of legal obligations for both employers and employees regarding safe work practices for manual handling. Understanding these obligations is crucial for workplace compliance and risk management.
Integration with other safety certifications
The manual handling course can be combined with other safety qualifications to create a comprehensive safety training programme. Many organisations choose to pair manual handling with first aid training, as these skills complement each other in maintaining a safe workplace.
For support workers in healthcare settings, completion of manual handling training is often a requirement alongside other specialised certifications. Our course details outline how this training supports and enhances other professional qualifications.
Business Benefits of Proper Manual Handling Training
Reduction in workplace injuries and associated costs
Investing in quality manual handling courses is proven to significantly reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. When staff understand and apply proper techniques for handling loads, organisations see measurable reductions in musculoskeletal disorders and related workplace injuries.
The cost of a single serious manual handling injury can far exceed the investment required to train an entire workforce. By ensuring your team can complete manual handling tasks in a safe manner, you’re making a sound financial decision that protects both your workers and your bottom line.
Improved productivity and efficiency
Workers trained in safe manual handling don’t just work more safely—they work more efficiently. By understanding how to properly assess and approach manual handling activities, employees can complete tasks with less fatigue and greater confidence. The course covers how to optimise workflows and use appropriate mechanical aids when available, improving overall productivity.
Creating a safety-conscious workplace culture
Perhaps the most significant benefit is the development of a workplace culture where safety is prioritised. When leaders invest in quality manual handling training, they send a clear message about the importance of worker wellbeing. This contributes to better morale, reduced absenteeism, and greater retention of experienced staff.
By equipping your team with the skills and knowledge required to perform even potentially hazardous manual tasks safely, you’re building an organisation where safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our course includes strategies for ongoing reinforcement of safe work practices long after the training session concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes STC's manual handling course different from other providers?
Unlike generic online training, our manual handling courses combine industry-specific content with practical assessment. As a nationally recognised RTO, we deliver HLTWHS005 Conduct Manual Tasks Safely with experienced trainers who have worked in high-risk environments. Our refresher training options and custom workplace programmes ensure your organisation maintains compliance while genuinely reducing injury risks.
Can manual handling training help reduce our insurance premiums?
Yes. Many insurers offer reduced workers’ compensation premiums for organisations with comprehensive safety training. By documenting completion of accredited manual handling courses and implementing the risk assessment methodologies taught, you demonstrate commitment to minimising workplace injuries. Our certificate of completion provides evidence of your proactive approach to WHS compliance.
How frequently should manual handling refresher training be conducted?
While there’s no legal expiry for manual handling certificates in Australia, Safe Work Australia recommends manual handling courses as refresher training every two years. However, healthcare professionals and aged care workers often require annual updates due to the high-risk nature of patient handling tasks. We offer streamlined refresher courses that focus on practical skills reinforcement and updates to manual handling techniques.
