Skip to content
Quest Training

Manual Handling & Workplace Ergonomics Training Course

Covers safe lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling techniques and ergonomic principles that cut musculoskeletal injuries and physical fatigue at work.

OHS · Occupational Health & SafetyAll Levels#2666ClassroomEnglish , Arabic
Duration
5 Days
Download BrochureView Upcoming Dates

Free substitution at any time · 30+ days' notice: full refund minus 10%. Cancellation policy

Sectors:Health, Safety, Environment & SustainabilityCategories:Occupational Health & Safety

Course Overview

The Manual Handling & Workplace Ergonomics Training Course provides a comprehensive understanding of safe manual handling practices and ergonomic principles designed to reduce workplace injuries, improve employee well-being, and enhance operational efficiency. The programme focuses on identifying physical risk factors associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, repetitive movements, and prolonged or awkward working postures across industrial, commercial, and office environments. Participants explore the relationship between workplace ergonomics, human capabilities, task demands, and work environment design. The course examines how unsuitable lifting techniques, excessive physical effort, repetitive activities, poorly designed workstations, and inadequate equipment can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, reduced productivity, and avoidable workplace incidents. The programme introduces systematic methods for assessing manual handling tasks, identifying ergonomic hazards, evaluating exposure levels, and determining appropriate control measures. Participants learn how to consider load characteristics, task frequency, handling distance, body posture, environmental conditions, and individual capabilities when evaluating the risks associated with physical work. Special attention is given to practical lifting and handling techniques, ergonomic workstation design, the selection of mechanical handling aids, and the application of the hierarchy of controls. The course also addresses repetitive work, workstation adjustment, equipment positioning, material storage, and the integration of ergonomic considerations into workplace risk assessments and occupational health and safety programmes. Through practical demonstrations, workplace assessments, case studies, and a final workshop, participants develop the skills to recognize ergonomic deficiencies, recommend suitable improvements, and promote safer working practices. The programme supports organizations in reducing musculoskeletal risks, strengthening safety awareness, improving employee comfort, and establishing a sustainable approach to workplace ergonomics.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the principles of manual handling safety and workplace ergonomics.
  • Identify common ergonomic hazards associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and repetitive activities.
  • Recognize workplace conditions that contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and physical fatigue.
  • Apply safe manual handling principles when moving loads and handling materials.
  • Assess manual handling tasks by considering load characteristics, body posture, frequency, distance, and environmental conditions.
  • Evaluate ergonomic risks associated with workstations, tools, equipment, and workplace layouts.
  • Select appropriate control measures to reduce physical strain and prevent handling-related injuries.
  • Recommend mechanical aids and handling equipment that reduce excessive physical effort.
  • Improve workstation arrangements and work methods to support neutral body postures and efficient movement.
  • Integrate ergonomic assessments into workplace risk management and occupational safety procedures.
  • Develop practical recommendations for reducing repetitive strain, fatigue, and unnecessary physical exertion.
  • Establish workplace practices that promote ergonomic awareness, employee participation, and continuous improvement.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals responsible for workplace safety, operational activities, workstation design, material handling, and employee well-being. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) managers, officers, and specialists. Operations managers, supervisors, and team leaders. Warehouse, logistics, and distribution personnel. Manufacturing, production, and assembly line supervisors. Maintenance engineers, technicians, and workshop personnel. Facilities and workplace management professionals. Human Resources and occupational health professionals. Ergonomics specialists and workplace risk assessors. Construction and industrial site supervisors. Procurement professionals responsible for selecting handling equipment and workplace tools. Office managers and employees working in computer-based environments. Professionals responsible for occupational health programmes, injury prevention, and workplace improvement initiatives.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the relationship between manual handling, ergonomics, and occupational health.
  • Recognize common causes of musculoskeletal disorders associated with workplace activities.
  • Identify hazardous lifting postures, repetitive movements, and excessive physical demands.
  • Demonstrate safer techniques for lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling loads.
  • Assess manual handling risks using task characteristics and workplace conditions.
  • Recognize ergonomic deficiencies in workstations, equipment, tools, and material storage arrangements.
  • Recommend practical ergonomic improvements based on identified risk factors.
  • Select suitable mechanical aids and handling equipment to reduce physical strain.
  • Apply ergonomic principles to workstation adjustment, equipment positioning, and task organization.
  • Develop risk-reduction measures for repetitive tasks and prolonged working postures.
  • Conduct basic workplace ergonomic inspections and communicate improvement recommendations.
  • Contribute to injury prevention initiatives and continuous improvement in workplace ergonomics.

Course Outline

Day 1

Fundamentals of Manual Handling and Workplace Ergonomics

  • Introduction to manual handling and ergonomic principles.
  • The relationship between human capabilities, task requirements, and workplace design.
  • Common manual handling activities: lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
  • Musculoskeletal disorders and their relationship to workplace activities.
  • Common injuries affecting the back, shoulders, neck, wrists, and other joints.
  • Physical risk factors, including excessive force, repetition, awkward postures, and prolonged exertion.
  • The influence of load weight, size, shape, stability, and grip quality on handling risk.
  • Workplace conditions that increase physical strain, including restricted space and uneven surfaces.
  • Individual capabilities, physical limitations, fatigue, and recovery.
  • Organizational responsibilities for manual handling safety and ergonomic risk reduction.
  • Practical Exercise: Identify manual handling hazards in a simulated workplace and discuss their potential effects on employee health and operational performance.
Day 2

Safe Manual Handling Techniques and Risk Assessment

  • Preparing for lifting and moving activities through task planning.
  • Assessing the load, route, destination, and surrounding environment before handling.
  • Safe principles for lifting and lowering loads.
  • Maintaining stable footing, balanced movement, and appropriate load positioning.
  • Keeping loads close to the body and minimizing unnecessary twisting.
  • Safe carrying techniques and maintaining visibility while moving materials.
  • Risk factors associated with pushing and pulling equipment or loaded trolleys.
  • Assessing handling frequency, travel distance, grip, and physical effort.
  • Recognizing when a load requires mechanical assistance or additional personnel.
  • Responding to unstable loads, restricted access, and changing workplace conditions.
  • Practical Exercise: Evaluate a series of manual handling scenarios and identify safer handling methods, task modifications, and situations requiring mechanical assistance.
Day 3

Ergonomic Workstation Design and Workplace Layout

  • Principles of ergonomic workstation design.
  • Matching workstations and equipment to the needs of employees and the tasks performed.
  • Neutral body posture and appropriate positioning of the spine, shoulders, wrists, and neck.
  • Adjusting chairs, desks, monitors, keyboards, and other office equipment.
  • Ergonomic considerations for standing workstations and prolonged standing.
  • Workbench height, reach distance, visibility, and tool positioning in industrial environments.
  • Material storage arrangements and safe handling distances.
  • Reducing unnecessary bending, reaching, twisting, and overhead work.
  • Lighting, workspace accessibility, floor conditions, and environmental considerations.
  • Identifying workstation deficiencies and prioritizing ergonomic improvements.
  • Practical Exercise: Conduct an ergonomic review of a sample office or industrial workstation and prepare recommendations for improving posture, reach, equipment positioning, and workflow.
Day 4

Ergonomic Risk Controls, Repetitive Work, and Injury Prevention

  • Systematic identification of ergonomic hazards in routine and non-routine activities.
  • Evaluating repetitive movements and cumulative physical exposure.
  • Assessing sustained and awkward working postures.
  • Applying the hierarchy of controls to ergonomic risk management.
  • Using mechanical lifting aids, hoists, trolleys, conveyors, and adjustable equipment.
  • Redesigning tasks to reduce excessive force, repetition, and unnecessary movement.
  • Job rotation, task variation, work-rest arrangements, and fatigue management.
  • Selecting suitable tools, handles, and equipment for different handling requirements.
  • Recognizing early warning signs of musculoskeletal discomfort and reporting concerns.
  • Integrating ergonomic controls with occupational health and safety risk assessments.
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of corrective measures and identifying residual risks.
  • Practical Exercise: Analyze a repetitive or physically demanding workplace task and develop a risk-reduction plan incorporating engineering, organizational, and work-method improvements.
Day 5

Ergonomic Programme Implementation, Workplace Evaluation, and Final Workshop

  • Establishing a structured workplace ergonomics programme.
  • Defining responsibilities for managers, supervisors, employees, and occupational safety teams.
  • Conducting workplace inspections and documenting ergonomic hazards.
  • Prioritizing improvement actions according to risk level and operational impact.
  • Integrating manual handling assessments into job planning and task risk assessments.
  • Developing employee awareness and practical manual handling training initiatives.
  • Managing ergonomic risks associated with new equipment, workplace modifications, and process changes.
  • Establishing procedures for reporting discomfort, reviewing incidents, and following up on corrective actions.
  • Monitoring improvement indicators, including ergonomic observations, injury trends, and action closure.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions and supporting continuous improvement.
  • Final Workshop: Participants work in teams to assess a realistic workplace scenario involving manual handling and ergonomic hazards. Each team identifies the relevant risk factors, evaluates the task and workstation, recommends suitable control measures, and develops an improvement plan covering safe handling methods, equipment selection, workstation adjustments, employee awareness, and follow-up evaluation. The workshop concludes with team presentations and a review of the proposed solutions against practical safety and ergonomic criteria.

Upcoming Dates

Selected date

Accra · 14 – 18 Dec 2026 · Classroom

Need more details?Chat with us on WhatsApp

CityDatesPrice per ParticipantEarly Bird
SalalahConfirmed
2 – 6 Nov 2026€5,300—
SelectDownload Brochure
ViennaScheduled
2 – 6 Nov 2026€5,700—
SelectDownload Brochure
AmmanScheduled
8 – 12 Nov 2026€3,100—
SelectDownload Brochure
AmsterdamScheduled
16 – 20 Nov 2026€5,400—
SelectDownload Brochure
BarcelonaScheduled
23 – 27 Nov 2026€5,400€4,860until 2 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
AbujaConfirmed
23 – 27 Nov 2026€5,100€4,590until 2 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
CairoScheduled
30 Nov – 4 Dec 2026€3,300€2,970until 9 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
CasablancaScheduled
30 Nov – 4 Dec 2026€4,300€3,870until 9 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
DammamScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€4,200€3,780until 16 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
DohaScheduled
14 – 18 Dec 2026€4,400€3,960until 23 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
AccraConfirmed
14 – 18 Dec 2026€5,100€4,590until 23 Nov
✓ SelectedDownload Brochure
DubaiScheduled
20 – 24 Dec 2026€4,400€3,960until 30 Nov
SelectDownload Brochure
BangkokConfirmed
28 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027€6,100€5,490until 7 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
FrankfurtScheduled
28 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027€5,800€5,220until 7 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
GenevaScheduled
4 – 8 Jan 2027€6,300€5,670until 14 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
IstanbulScheduled
11 – 15 Jan 2027€4,700€4,230until 21 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
BeirutConfirmed
17 – 21 Jan 2027€4,000€3,600until 28 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
JeddahScheduled
17 – 21 Jan 2027€4,200€3,780until 28 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
Kuala LumpurScheduled
18 – 22 Jan 2027€4,400€3,960until 28 Dec
SelectDownload Brochure
LisbonScheduled
25 – 29 Jan 2027€5,400€4,860until 4 Jan
SelectDownload Brochure
LondonScheduled
1 – 5 Feb 2027€5,600€5,040until 11 Jan
SelectDownload Brochure
MadinahScheduled
8 – 12 Feb 2027€4,200€3,780until 18 Jan
SelectDownload Brochure
BerlinConfirmed
8 – 12 Feb 2027€5,800€5,220until 18 Jan
SelectDownload Brochure
MadridScheduled
15 – 19 Feb 2027€5,400€4,860until 25 Jan
SelectDownload Brochure
MakkahScheduled
22 – 26 Feb 2027€4,200€3,780until 1 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure
ManamaScheduled
1 – 5 Mar 2027€4,700€4,230until 8 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure
MarbellaScheduled
1 – 5 Mar 2027€5,400€4,860until 8 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure
Cape TownConfirmed
1 – 5 Mar 2027€5,100€4,590until 8 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure
MilanScheduled
8 – 12 Mar 2027€6,000€5,400until 15 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure
MunichScheduled
15 – 19 Mar 2027€5,400€4,860until 22 Feb
SelectDownload Brochure

Available in: Istanbul · Dubai · London · Riyadh · Doha · Amsterdam

Related Courses

Ready to Elevate Your Team's Capabilities?

Speak with our advisors about upcoming programmes or a bespoke corporate training plan.

Download BrochureContact Our Team