Work Health and Safety (WHS): Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is part of everyday work in healthcare, administration, and service environments—but when done incorrectly, it can cause serious injuries. Back strain, muscle tears, and long-term pain are among the most common workplace injuries in Australia, often resulting from poor lifting techniques or repetitive movements.
This short, practical course helps you understand the risks of manual handling and teaches safe lifting and movement techniques to protect yourself and your colleagues. You’ll also learn how to identify hazards, assess risks, and apply simple adjustments to make your work safer and more efficient.
Course Modules
Module 1 – Understanding Manual Handling
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What “manual handling” really means under WHS law
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Common tasks that pose risks (lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion)
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Typical injuries and long-term consequences
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Why prevention is everyone’s responsibility
Module 2 – Risk Factors and Injury Mechanisms
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The anatomy of movement: how muscles and joints respond to strain
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Common causes of manual handling injuries
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Environmental and organisational risk factors
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Early warning signs your body is under strain
Module 3 – Safe Lifting and Movement Techniques
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The principles of safe lifting: posture, balance, and load control
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The “keep it close and stable” rule
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How to lift, carry, and lower objects correctly
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Using equipment such as trolleys, hoists, and slide sheets
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When and how to ask for assistance
Module 4 – Workplace Responsibilities and WHS Requirements
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Employer and employee duties under WHS legislation
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The “hierarchy of control” approach to manual handling risks
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How to report unsafe conditions or near-misses
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Training, supervision, and documentation for compliance
Module 5 – Self-Assessment and Practical Improvement Plan
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Personal checklist: identifying unsafe habits in your daily routine
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Practical exercises to strengthen core stability and posture
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Setting achievable goals to reduce strain
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Creating a safer, more supportive manual handling culture
Who Should Complete This Course
This course is suitable for:
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Healthcare, nursing, and allied health staff
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Receptionists, administrators, and cleaners
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Practice managers and safety officers
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Any employee involved in lifting, carrying, or moving loads at work
Certificate of Completion
On completion, you’ll receive a free digital certificate suitable for your training records, accreditation evidence, or CPD documentation.
Where can you find your Certificate?
More free courses https://www.courses.generalpracticetraining.com.au/
More free resources for General Practice at our main website: https://generalpracticetraining.com.au/
