What is Manual Handling Training and Why is it Important? 

When caring for others, your wellbeing matters equally. Manual Handling training is designed to protect both you and the people you support. Important for the safety of support workers, carers and health care professionals, it allows you to move and assist others safely. From everyday tasks like lifting, repositioning or pushing wheelchairs, this training teaches the right techniques to reduce the risk of injury.

What Is Manual Handling Training?

• Teaches safe ways to lift, move, carry, push or pull objects and people.
• Aims to reduce the risk of injury in everyday physical support and care roles.
• Equips carers and support workers with practical, safety-focused skills to feel more confident and protected in their day-to-day tasks.
• Covers both theory and practical, hands-on training.

Read more about Rocky Bay’s Manual Handling training here.

What Do You Learn in Manual Handling Training?

Manual Handling training teaches you how the body works and why good posture is important when supporting others. You’ll learn how to assess any potential risk before attempting a manual task. The training also typically involves learning when and how to use equipment like Full hoist and standing hoist, full body sling, standing hoist sling, slide sheets and wheel chair. Most importantly, it will give you practical techniques to reduce strain and avoid injury so that you can support others with confidence. These skills will help protect your health, while providing the best possible care every day.

What Are the Five Common Types of Manual Handling Tasks?

Manual Handling training covers a wide range of everyday actions that support workers and carers carry out regularly. These tasks may seem simple but if not carried out with the right technique, can lead to strain or injury over time.  

Lifting

Lifting involves raising or lowering items or people from one height to another. This could include helping someone into a bed or picking up equipment from the floor.

Carrying

Carrying is defined by moving objects while holding them. An example of this would be transferring supplies or assisting a person with limited mobility.

Pushing

If you are applying force to move something away from you, this is engaging in the manual handling task of pushing. Common examples could be pushing a wheelchair or trolley.

Pulling

Pulling is the opposite of pushing and involves drawing something toward you. This could be adjusting furniture or repositioning equipment.  

Holding

If you are holding, you are typically supporting the weight of something in a fixed position like helping someone stand during a transfer. 

Manual Handling Techniques You’ll Learn

Manual handling training will give you simple, effective techniques to keep yourself and others safe, such as:

• Planning each task carefully before beginning, making sure you have a clear path and any necessary equipment.
• Keeping the load close to your body and bending at the knees, not the waist to help protect your back.
• Avoiding twisting by turning your whole body instead and use assistive devices where appropriate.

An important takeaway from Manual Handling training is to communicate clearly with the person you’re supporting.

Manual Handling Courses Perth

At Rocky Bay, we offer Manual Handling training in Perth, designed specifically for support workers, healthcare professionals and carers. The training is practical, hands-on and focused on real-world support situations. Delivered by our experienced trainers, the course helps you care for others while protecting your own wellbeing. Whether you are new to a support work role or looking to refresh your skills, our course is a supportive way to build safety into your daily tasks.

Read more about the Manual Handling training course offered at Rocky Bay.

Why is Manual Handling Training Important?

Manual Handling training helps prevent injuries for both support workers, healthcare professionals, carers and the people they care for. It builds confidence in everyday tasks, helping you feel more capable and secure in your role. Learning the right techniques creates safer, more respectful care environments. Many employers in the care and support sector also encourage or require this training as part of best practice. It is a small step that can make a meaningful difference to long-term wellbeing.

Manual Handling training helps create safer support environments for everyone. At Rocky Bay, we offer practical, hands-on Manual Handling training in Perth, designed to reflect the real-life scenarios you face every day. Our friendly team is here to help you get started, get in contact to learn more today!