Pallets, cartons, mixed-weight loads, repetitive lifting.
Compliance Reference / SHWW (General Application) Regs 2007
Manual Handling Training
Manual handling injuries are among the most common causes of lost time at work in Ireland. Here is what the law requires, how our task-specific courses meet it, and what counts as evidence your staff are trained.
Manual handling training teaches employees to move loads safely and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. In Ireland it is a legal requirement under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (Chapter 4, Part 2), which require employers to provide training where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided. Pat O Brien Safety delivers task-specific courses, in-house and online, with certification on completion.
2007 General Application Regulations
TILE Risk assessment approach
~3yrs Recommended refresher interval
HSA Enforcing authority
The Course
What our course covers
Practical, task-specific manual handling training aligned with HSA requirements — not a generic slideshow session.
- 01
Legal duties & why it matters
Injury statistics and HSA requirements, explained in plain terms.
- 02
How injuries happen
How the spine and body work, and how handling injuries occur.
- 03
TILE risk assessment
Task, Individual, Load, Environment — the standard risk assessment approach.
- 04
Safe handling technique
Principles and practical technique for your actual tasks, not generic loads.
- 05
Assessment & certification
Practical assessment, with certification on completion.
Why It Works
Task-specific and sector-specific
The best manual handling training reflects the loads and environment your staff actually work with. We tailor courses to your tasks and sector, rather than delivering a generic session.
Patient / people handling, hoists and slings.
Awkward loads, restricted space, variable terrain.
Common Question
Is manual handling training a legal requirement?
Yes. Under the General Application Regulations 2007, employers must first try to avoid hazardous manual handling. Where it cannot be avoided, they must assess the risk and provide employees with training and information on safe handling and the risks involved. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces this duty, and it is one of the most commonly cited breaches found during workplace inspections.
We deliver in-house and online manual handling training.
Keeping It Current
How often is refresher training needed?
There is no single fixed statutory interval in Ireland, but training must be kept up to date. Best practice, widely followed by employers and recommended by many training bodies, is a refresher approximately every three years, or sooner if tasks, equipment or risks change.
See our compliance reference on manual handling training frequency for detail.
Delivery
Delivery options
At your premises, tailored to your tasks. Dublin and Leinster.
Manual handling training for theory and awareness.
Tailored for healthcare settings.
FAQs
Manual handling training questions
Is manual handling training a legal requirement in Ireland?
Yes, under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, employers must provide manual handling training where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided.
How long does manual handling certification last?
There is no fixed statutory interval, but best practice is a refresher roughly every three years, or sooner if tasks, loads or risks change. See our manual handling training frequency page.
Do you deliver on-site?
Yes, we deliver in-house across Dublin and Leinster, tailored to your tasks and sector, as well as online. Call 01 456 9415 to arrange.
Pat O Brien Safety Ltd
Book training or talk to our team
Ireland's health & safety one-stop shop, training, services and equipment, led by Technical Director Pat O'Brien with 30 years' experience. Courses in-house and online across Dublin and Leinster, safety equipment nationwide. Tell us your task, site or sector and we'll recommend the right course, inspection or equipment.