Frequently Asked Questions

Manual handling involves transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force—such as lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying loads. A load can be an object, person, or animal. For the purpose of this document, we are referring to the handling of objects (not people or animals). If you are looking for answers to your questions regarding moving and handling of people, please visit our People Moving and Handling – Frequently Asked Questions page.

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), employers must:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks where possible.
• Assess unavoidable manual handling risks.
• Reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable. Employees also have a duty to follow safe working practices and use any provided equipment properly.

Preventing injuries involves a proactive approach:

• Conduct thorough manual handling risk assessments.
• Use mechanical aids wherever possible to reduce strain.
• Provide practical, task-specific manual handling training.
• Monitor, encourage, and maintain safe working techniques.
• Regularly review and update manual handling procedures to stay compliant and protect staff.

There is a wide range of individual capability, even among those who are fit and healthy, for the handling of heavy loads. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations guideline figures provide a reasonable level of protection to around 95% of working men and women. [Ref - Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – Guidance on Regulations (Page 52)] However, you must not regard them as safe weight limits for lifting. Because there are very many factors that influence risk, there is no weight threshold where manual handling operations change from ‘safe’ to ‘unsafe’.

The recommended weight will also vary depending on the position in which the load is held. A reduced weight is recommended when holding the load away from the body, or when held above or below the optimum carriage height.

The MHOR does not mandate a 'no lifting' policy. However, it emphasises avoiding hazardous manual handling where possible. If manual handling is necessary, risks must be assessed and minimised. A balanced approach, considering both the necessity of the task and the potential risks, is recommended.

TILE stands for:

• Task: What needs lifting/moving?
• Individual: Who is performing the task?
• Load: What are the characteristics of the load?
• Environment: Where is the task taking place? Using TILE helps spot risks early and create safer handling solutions.

Manual handling training certificates are typically valid for three years from the date of the course or most recent refresher. However, some workplaces may require refresher training sooner depending on the level of risk, particularly if high-risk tasks, specialist equipment, or people handling is involved.

It’s best practice to renew your manual handling training before your current certificate expires. Keeping up to date ensures:

• Continued legal compliance
• Safer practices across your workforce
• Reduced risk of injury and liability

Don't let certifications lapse—refresher training protects your people and your business.

No problem! OFI maintains secure training records for all delegates. If you’ve attended a course with us before, simply get in touch and we’ll retrieve your certification history.

📞Contact us today.

If your certificate has expired, we can help you quickly get back on track. Lapsed training can leave your organisation exposed to risk, but our refresher courses are designed to help you regain compliance and confidence fast.

📞Contact us today to arrange a refresher.

• Public Courses: Scheduled, open sessions held at our London City (EC3) venue or online, available to individuals.
• In-House Courses: Delivered on-site at your location, fully tailored to your equipment, work environment, and job tasks. In-house training ensures the content is immediately relevant and actionable for your team.

OFI’s manual handling training is delivered by qualified osteopaths and physiotherapists—experts who understand body mechanics and injury prevention. Our training is practical, engaging, and tailored to your working environment, ensuring better results, fewer injuries, and confident teams.

Absolutely! We believe no two workplaces are the same. That’s why we offer:

• Pre-course consultations to understand your work environment, needs, and risks.
• Task-specific content based on your real manual handling activities and equipment.
• Flexible delivery options: on-site, online, or at our public London City venue.
• Customised training materials: branded resources, customised course notes, bespoke videos, and more.

👉 Want to customise a course? Get in touch and we’ll build the perfect solution for your organisation.

People Moving and Handling refers to the manual handling of individuals, including lifting, supporting, transferring, or repositioning people. This is particularly relevant in healthcare, social care, and educational settings where staff assist individuals with mobility challenges.

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), employers are legally obligated to:

• Avoid hazardous people moving and handling operations where possible
• Assess people moving and handling tasks that cannot be avoided
• Implement effective control measures to reduce the risk of injury
• Provide employees with adequate people moving and handling training and information

Effective injury prevention involves:

• Risk Assessment – Identifying and evaluating people moving and handling risks
• Practical Skills Training – Ensuring staff are trained in safe handling techniques
• Mechanical Aids – Using hoists, slide sheets, and other handling equipment where appropriate
• Workplace Design – Creating a layout that supports safe handling and reduces unnecessary strain

Training should be refreshed every three years as standard, but more frequent updates may be needed if:

• New equipment or handling techniques are introduced
• There is an incident or a near miss
• Staff return to work after an extended absence
• An internal risk assessment recommends more frequent refreshers

Regular refresher training helps maintain safety, competence, and compliance.

Yes. OFI welcomes participants from other reputable training providers. Our refresher courses are designed to update and reinforce skills in accordance with the latest regulations and people moving and handling best practice.

OFI’s standard certification is valid for three years from the date of training. This applies to both initial and refresher courses.

If your certificate has expired, it’s important to book a refresher course as soon as possible. Operating without valid training can place your organisation at legal risk. OFI can schedule refresher courses to help you regain compliance quickly.

📞Contact us today to arrange a refresher.

Yes. OFI maintains detailed training records. Simply contact us and we’ll locate your previous certification and advise on whether a refresher is due.

OFI provides ongoing support during your certification period, including:

• Access to our people moving and handling experts
• Free educational training resources
• Updates to training content in line with new regulations

Our training materials are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with:

• Current HSE regulations and guidelines
• New research and best practice
• Feedback from training participants

This ensures your staff always receive the most relevant and effective training.

OFI training is:

• Clinically Led – Delivered by osteopaths, physiotherapists, and people moving and handling specialists
• Tailored – Built around your organisation’s specific needs and equipment
• Results-Focused – Designed to reduce injuries and improve safety
• Fully Supported – Includes post-course support, materials, and access to expert trainers

Absolutely – and it’s one of the reasons our clients choose us time and again.

When you work with OFI, we will:

• Tailor the training to reflect your real working environment, job roles, and challenges
• Include your organisation’s own equipment (hoists, slings, etc.) in practical training
• Develop training content for different staff levels – from junior carers to senior leads
• Address specific client scenarios, risks, and incidents
• Provide branded course materials with your logo, documentation, and internal procedures

We offer flexible training formats, from short practical refreshers to in-depth instructor training. All content is aligned with MHOR (1992), HSE guidance, and your internal policies.

Getting started is easy. Simply:

• 📞 Call us to speak with a people moving and handling training expert
• 📧 Email or complete our online enquiry form
• 📅 Choose dates that work for your team

We’ll provide a tailored proposal with clear outcomes and pricing.

Related Links:

• People Moving and Handling Training for Employees
• Train the Trainer: People Moving and Handling Instructor Courses
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – Guide

Let us know how we can support your team in creating a safer, more compliant workplace.