Safer People Moving and Handling – Clinically-Led by Experts
Professional Training from Experienced Osteopaths and Physiotherapists and specialists in the field.
Building you a stronger, safer workforce.
With over 35 years of experience, Osteopaths for Industry (OFI) delivers clinically-led people moving and handling training—designed and delivered by expert osteopaths and physiotherapists. Our courses blend an in-depth understanding of body mechanics with practical, job-specific knowledge drawn from a range of care settings ensuring the safety of your staff and your clients. All training is kept up to date with the latest moving and handling techniques, aligning with best practice and current guidelines.
Each course is tailored to reflect your daily working environment, equipping your team with the confidence, skill, and knowledge to ensuring safe and effective people moving and handling —whether in hospitals, residential homes, schools, or in the community.
At OFI, we go beyond standard compliance or ‘tick-box’ people moving and handling training.
Our sessions focus on movement education—teaching the principles of safe, efficient movement and helping your team apply those skills in the real world.
We simplify key anatomical concepts into practical learning that engages your team. The goal? To build long-term movement habits that reduce strain, prevent injury, and improve workplace competency.
We use real-life scenarios to help your team understand the “why behind the how”—explaining how the body works, how injuries happen, and what they can do to prevent them. This helps staff move and assist others more safely and confidently, protecting both themselves and those in their care. The result is meaningful behavioural change and a more competent, confident workforce.
Our People Handling Training Services
Train the Trainer Courses
Give your internal trainers the confidence and clinical grounding to deliver engaging, informative, and practical training sessions. From understanding movement mechanics to facilitating hands-on practical sessions, your instructors will be equipped to lead with skill and clarity
Direct-to-Workforce Practical Training
We train your team directly with practical, scenario-based sessions tailored to your environment. From hoist use and repositioning to assisting individuals with reduced mobility, the focus is always on clear, applicable practical skills.
People Handling Risk Assessment Training
Equip your team to identify and stop risks before they become problems. This training covers both formal and dynamic risk assessment, promoting a mindset of proactive injury prevention across your care setting.
Paediatric Handling
Tailored for those supporting children and young people, this training reflects the specific physical considerations of paediatric care environments such as schools, care homes, day centres and hospitals. It also addresses the additional handling needs of children with disabilities—equipping your team with safe, practical techniques to provide effective and compassionate support.
Bariatric Handling
Our trainers offer specialist guidance on safely supporting individuals with higher body weight, focusing on dignity and comfort. Each session is tailored to encourage an understanding of the unique needs involved, ensuring compassionate and competent care.
Train the Trainer Courses
Give your internal trainers the confidence and clinical grounding to deliver engaging, informative, and practical training sessions. From understanding movement mechanics to facilitating hands-on practical sessions, your instructors will be equipped to lead with skill and clarity.
Direct-to-Workforce Practical Training
We train your team directly with practical, scenario-based sessions tailored to your environment. From hoist use and repositioning to assisting individuals with reduced mobility, the focus is always on clear, applicable practical skills.
People Handling Risk Assessment Training
Equip your team to identify and stop risks before they become problems. This training covers both formal and dynamic risk assessment, promoting a mindset of proactive injury prevention across your care setting.
Paediatric Handling
Tailored for those supporting children and young people, this training reflects the specific physical considerations of paediatric care environments such as schools, care homes, day centres and hospitals. It also addresses the additional handling needs of children with disabilities—equipping your team with safe, practical techniques to provide effective and compassionate support.
Bariatric Handling
Our trainers offer specialist guidance on safely supporting individuals with higher body weight, focusing on dignity and comfort. Each session is tailored to encourage an understanding of the unique needs involved, ensuring compassionate and competent care.
Train the Trainer Courses
Give your internal trainers the confidence and clinical grounding to deliver engaging, informative, and practical training sessions. From understanding movement mechanics to facilitating hands-on practical sessions, your instructors will be equipped to lead with skill and clarity.
Direct-to-Workforce Practical Training
We train your team directly with practical, scenario-based sessions tailored to your environment. From hoist use and repositioning to assisting individuals with reduced mobility, the focus is always on clear, applicable practical skills.
People Handling Risk Assessment Training
Equip your team to identify and stop risks before they become problems. This training covers both formal and dynamic risk assessment, promoting a mindset of proactive injury prevention across your care setting.
Paediatric Handling
Tailored for those supporting children and young people, this training reflects the specific physical considerations of paediatric care environments such as schools, care homes, day centres and hospitals. It also addresses the additional handling needs of children with disabilities—equipping your team with safe, practical techniques to provide effective and compassionate support.
Bariatric Handling
Our trainers offer specialist guidance on safely supporting individuals with higher body weight, focusing on dignity and comfort. Each session is tailored to encourage an understanding of the unique needs involved, ensuring compassionate and competent care.
Train the Trainer Courses
Give your internal trainers the confidence and clinical grounding to deliver engaging, informative, and practical training sessions. From understanding movement mechanics to facilitating hands-on practical sessions, your instructors will be equipped to lead with skill and clarity.
Direct-to-Workforce Practical Training
We train your team directly with practical, scenario-based sessions tailored to your environment. From hoist use and repositioning to assisting individuals with reduced mobility, the focus is always on clear, applicable practical skills.
People Handling Risk Assessment Training
Equip your team to identify and stop risks before they become problems. This training covers both formal and dynamic risk assessment, promoting a mindset of proactive injury prevention across your care setting.
Paediatric Handling
Tailored for those supporting children and young people, this training reflects the specific physical considerations of paediatric care environments such as schools, care homes, day centres and hospitals. It also addresses the additional handling needs of children with disabilities—equipping your team with safe, practical techniques to provide effective and compassionate support.
Bariatric Handling
Our trainers offer specialist guidance on safely supporting individuals with higher body weight, focusing on dignity and comfort. Each session is tailored to encourage an understanding of the unique needs involved, ensuring compassionate and competent care.
Why Choose OFI's People
Moving and Handling Training?
Tailored Training
Solutions
No two workplaces are the same. Our technical advisors—all qualified osteopaths or physiotherapists—work closely with you to understand your environment, workforce, and daily challenges. This collaborative approach ensures each course is tailored to your specific people moving and handling needs, delivering relevant, practical solutions that make a real difference on the ground.
Expert
Instructors
Every course is delivered by an experienced osteopath or physiotherapist, or specialist consultant. They bring clinical expertise and understanding into every session, explaining anatomy in a clear, practical way that makes sense to your team—no jargon or confusion.
Specialist Training for
Complex Needs
Need support with specific handling scenarios like bariatric or paediatric care? Our expert trainers bring clinical insight and real-world experience to deliver focused training that addresses the unique challenges of your setting. We take the time to understand the context and demands of your specialist area—ensuring every session is relevant, practical, and empowers your team to manage complex situations with confidence and care.
FAQs
At OFI, we know that safe people moving and handling is crucial for protecting both your staff and those in their care. Our expert-led courses are designed to give your team the practical skills and confidence they need to move and support individuals safely and respectfully.
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive about people moving and handling training, compliance, and best practice.
What is People Moving and Handling?
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.
What are the legal requirements for people moving and handling to protect employees?
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
How can we prevent injuries related to People Moving and Handling?
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
How often should People Moving and Handling training be refreshed?
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.
Can I attend a refresher course if my initial training was with another provider?
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.
How long is an OFI People Moving and Handling certification valid?
OFI’s standard certification is valid for three years from the date of training. This applies to both initial and refresher courses.
What should I do if my training certificate has expired?
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.
I think I trained with OFI before but can’t remember when. Can you help?
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
How often are OFI's training materials reviewed?
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.
What sets OFI’s training apart from other providers?
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
Can OFI’s People Moving and Handling courses be customised to our organisation’s needs?
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.
How do I book training or get a quote from OFI?
Getting started is easy. Simply:
- 📞 Call us on 020 8398 9522 to speak with a people moving and handling training expert
- 📧 Email us or complete our online enquiry form
- 📅 Choose dates that work for your team
We’ll provide a tailored proposal with clear outcomes and pricing.
Let us know how we can support your team in creating a safer, more compliant workplace.
Get started today!
Ready to improve people moving and handling in your organisation? Contact us to discuss your training needs and discover how OFI’s industry expertise can help build a safer, more confident care team.