Manual Handling Awareness Questions and Answers

Manual Handling Test Questions and Answers


You need to answer at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly to pass the Manual Handling Test for Operatives and Specialists. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!

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Manual Handling Quiz Questions and Answers (Quick View)

List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. Which THREE of the following count as manual handling? Give THREE answers
A Hammering
B Lifting a load
C Pushing
D Repeated twisting
E Signalling
Correct Answer: B Lifting a load, C Pushing, D Repeated twisting
Explanation: Manual handling covers any way the body is used to move a load.
2. Why is safe manual handling in the workplace so important? Give ONE answer
A It helps employees work faster
B It helps improve on-site efficiency
C It helps reduce the risk of injury for workers
D it helps reduce damage to materials
Correct Answer: C It helps reduce the risk of injury for workers
Explanation: Safe manual handling procedures are crucial for safeguarding the health of workers.
3. How can you tell if you are developing back injury from manual handling? Give ONE answer
A It may not be immediately obvious
B You will develop a twinge in your back
C You will feel a burning sensation across the shoulder blades
D You will find it difficult to stand up
Correct Answer: A It may not be immediately obvious
Explanation: Back injuries from manual handling can develop over time, and may not be immediately obvious.
4. Which part of your body may be affected by injuries sustained through manual handling? Give ONE answer
A Ankles
B Any part of your body
C Back
D Neck
Correct Answer: B Any part of your body
Explanation: Manual handling can affect any part of your body.
5. Which of the following conditions is NOT caused by manual handling? Give ONE answer
A Back injury
B Cancer
C Hernia
D Rupture
Correct Answer: B Cancer
Explanation: Various injuries can result from manual handling, but diseases are uncommon.
6. What is ONE thing you can do outside of work to help protect yourself from manual handling injuries? Give ONE answer
A Have a carbohydrate-rich diet
B Sleep on your side
C Wear a neck brace
D Work on cultivating good posture
Correct Answer: D Work on cultivating good posture
Explanation: Good posture at all times will help protect you against injury.
7. Which of the following statements is TRUE about manual handling injuries? Give ONE answer
A They are easily remedied through physical therapy
B They are unlikely to be severe
C They are unlikely to disrupt your ability to work
D They can last the rest of your life
Correct Answer: D They can last the rest of your life
Explanation: Injuries from manual handling will frequently stay with you for years, and often for the rest of your life.
8. If manual load handling poses a risk to workers, what must be in place? Give ONE answer
A A safe system of work
B An emergency procedure
C Health surveillance
D Manual handling aids
Correct Answer: A A safe system of work
Explanation: A safe system of work must be introduced where manual handling of loads poses a health risk to employees.
9. Materials are being unloaded from a truck on one side of the site for use on the other side. What TWO questions should be asked first? Give TWO answers
A Can more workers be assigned to this task?
B Can the truck be moved closer?
C Can workers avoid moving this material manually?
D Is this the most cost-efficient strategy?
E Will this create insurance liability issues?
Correct Answer: B Can the truck be moved closer?, C Can workers avoid moving this material manually?
Explanation: Where possible, reduce the distance a load must be moved - or eliminate the need for manual handling entirely.
10. Which TWO of the following factors must be taken into account when choosing workers for manual handling? Give TWO answers
A Their age
B Their availability
C Their pay grade
D Their race
E Their stature
Correct Answer: A Their age, E Their stature
Explanation: The correct workers must be chosen for manual handling. This must take into account their physical suitability for the task.
11. Which TWO of the following factors will affect a safe system of work for manual handling? Give TWO answers
A If the load is dispensable
B If the load is expensive
C If the load is greasy
D If the load is hazardous
E If the load is urgently needed
Correct Answer: C If the load is greasy, D If the load is hazardous
Explanation: A safe system of work is designed to protect the safety of workers, not the cost or efficiency of a project.
12. Which THREE of the following load properties must you know before lifting it? Give THREE answers
A Centre of gravity
B Density
C Handholds
D Price
E Serial number
F Weight
Correct Answer: A Centre of gravity, C Handholds, F Weight
Explanation: A load's weight and centre of gravity, and where it can be gripped, are all crucial properties you must know in order to safely lift it.
13. Whilst handling a heavy load across site, you unexpectedly come across a staircase. What has gone wrong? Give ONE answer
A Nothing, you are expected to navigate hazards on your route
B The safe system of work did not clearly account for and communicate all hazards on your route
C You are entitled to compensation
D You did not ask the right questions during the briefing
Correct Answer: B The safe system of work did not clearly account for and communicate all hazards on your route
Explanation: The safe system of work should identify and communicate any unavoidable hazards you might face whilst manual handling.
14. The acronym TILE is an easy way of ensuring all aspects of a safe system of work for manual handling have been covered. What does it stand for? Give ONE answer
A Task, individual, length, execution
B Task, individual, load, environment
C Time, insurance, leverage, ease
D Trip hazards, individual, length, emergency procedure
Correct Answer: B Task, individual, load, environment
Explanation: Task, individual, load, and environment are the main aspects that a safe system of work for manual handling must take into account.
15. Why might rainy weather affect your ability to manually handle materials safely? Give TWO answers
A Fatigue may set in more quickly
B It will not affect manual handling tasks
C The ground will be slippery
D There may be less light
E You may have to work alone
Correct Answer: C The ground will be slippery, D There may be less light
Explanation: Wet ground and low light are two factors that will affect the safety of manual handling tasks.
16. You need to pick one other person to help you lift a heavy material. Who would be a good choice? Give ONE answer
A Someone of a similar build and stature
B Someone of similar age
C Someone stronger than you
D Someone who is available to help
Correct Answer: A Someone of a similar build and stature
Explanation: Someone of a similar size and stature will help ensure the weight of the load is evenly distributed.
17. Who should lead during team lifting? Give ONE answer
A Everybody collectively
B Just one person
C Someone who is not lifting
D Whoever is tallest
Correct Answer: B Just one person
Explanation: One person should lead and clearly instruct during a team lift.
18. You are asked to help out on a team lifting. What TWO conditions must apply for you to accept? Give TWO answers
A You must be of a similar stature to the rest of the team
B You must be on a break
C You must be stronger than the rest of the tea
D You must be trained in team lifting
E You must be wearing PPE
Correct Answer: A You must be of a similar stature to the rest of the team, D You must be trained in team lifting
Explanation: All people taking part in team lifting must be trained in it, as well as of a similar stature.
19. Which of the following is advisable when lifting a heavy material? Give ONE answer
A Your arms and biceps should be doing most of the work
B Your back should be doing most of the work
C Your legs and thighs should be doing most of the work
Correct Answer: C Your legs and thighs should be doing most of the work
Explanation: Let your legs carry the work when lifting.
20. What should you do with your spine when manually handling? Give ONE answer
A Keep it as straight as possible for balance
B Keep it bent so the load remains near the floor
C Keep it slightly twisted to evenly distribute the load
D Try to keep it naturally curved to avoid strain
Correct Answer: D Try to keep it naturally curved to avoid strain
Explanation: Always try keep your spine at a natural curvature.
21. You are storing a heavy load in an empty shelving unit. Which height should you store it at? Give ONE answer
A Floor level
B Knee height
C Shoulder height
D Waist height
Correct Answer: D Waist height
Explanation: Storing heavy loads at waist height will make them easier to pick up and put down.
22. You sustained a neck sprain playing sport outside of work. Now you have been asked to help unload a vehicle. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Continue with the task
B Inform your supervisor of the injury
C Nothing - unloading puts strain on your back, not your neck
D Wear a neck brace and start work
Correct Answer: B Inform your supervisor of the injury
Explanation: Always let your supervisor or manager know about any past or new injuries that may affect your ability to work without further injury.
23. You are lifting bricks up to a platform, and are positioned such that you need to twist your body. What does this mean? Give ONE answer
A This will help you lift heavier loads than you can normally
B You must make sure your feet are stably planted
C You will need to lift lighter loads than you would normally
D You will need to wear an abdominal brace
Correct Answer: C You will need to lift lighter loads than you would normally
Explanation: A twisting movement puts more strain on your back. You must lift lighter loads when you are twisting.
24. What does wearing an abdominal brace mean for your risk of injury? Give ONE answer
A You drastically reduce your risk of injury
B You eliminate your risk of injury
C You increase your risk of injury
D Your risk of injury can still be the same
Correct Answer: D Your risk of injury can still be the same
Explanation: Wearing an abdominal brace does not necessarily reduce your risk of injury.
25. Before using a wheelbarrow to help you lift a load, what TWO things must you check? Give ONE answer
A That a wheelbarrow is the correct manual handling aid to use
B That it is colour-coded for manual handling
C That it is not new, so it will not matter if it becomes damaged
D That you are trained in how to correctly use one
Correct Answer: A That a wheelbarrow is the correct manual handling aid to use, D That you are trained in how to correctly use one
Explanation: You must check that any manual handling aid is correctly suited to a task, and that you are trained to use it.
26. You are lifting a beam that is weighted more heavily on one side. How should you carry it? Give ONE answer
A Cradle one arm over the beam
B Keep the heavy side facing away from you
C Keep the heavy side facing you
D Rock it back and forth to alternate where the pressure falls
Correct Answer: C Keep the heavy side facing you
Explanation: Always carry unevenly weighted loads with the heavier side facing you.
27. When should lifting aids be used? Give ONE answer
A When the load is a hazardous material
B When there are not enough workers on hand to handle the load manually
C When there is reduced visibility
D Whenever possible, to reduce the risk of injury
Correct Answer: D Whenever possible, to reduce the risk of injury
Explanation: Lifting aids should be used whenever possible.
28. When using a brick hoist, do manual handling rules still apply? Give ONE answer
A No - using brick hoists eliminates the need for manual handling
B Yes - brick hoists aid, but do not eliminate, the need for manual handling
Correct Answer: B Yes - brick hoists aid, but do not eliminate, the need for manual handling
Explanation: Brick hoists are a manual handling aid. Manual handling procedures must still be followed.
29. Whilst transporting materials across site, a wheel begins to start locking on your sack truck. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Carry the materials manually
B Continue using the sack truck unless the wheel fully breaks
C Find an alternative way to transport the materials
D Make two trips using the sack truck at half capacity
Correct Answer: C Find an alternative way to transport the materials
Explanation: Do not use faulty manual handling aids - but still avoid manual handling whenever possible.
30. You will be lifting a heavy load. Who must help plan out a safe system of work? Give TWO answers
A All workers in the area
B The Health and Safety Executive
C You
D Your supervisor
Correct Answer: C You, D Your supervisor
Explanation: You and your supervisor (or employer) must be involved in the planning.

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1726 votes - average 4.9 out of 5

Whatever your role in construction, manual handling training is an essential part of your professional development. Workplace injuries do harm to you and your business resulting in physical injury, costly payouts, attendance issues, unexpected spending and a damaged reputation.

None of the outcomes of poor manual handling practices are what you want for yourself or others. Correct handling of equipment and goods is an important part of compliance and good practice for industry health and safety.

By ensuring all staff attend a manual handling training course you can be sure every member of the team knows how to keep themselves and others safe on site. Relevant for everyone from labourers to managers and supervisors, here’s all you need to know about manual handling training and how it can help you and your team stay safe on site.

What is manual handling training?

Manual handling training is an important part of professional development for anyone working on a construction site. Workplace injuries on construction sites are common, with lots stemming from poor handling techniques.

Many of the most frequent injuries involve damage to the back, joints, shoulders, repetitive strain injury, torn ligaments and other types of musculoskeletal disorders. In too many cases, injured staff were not aware they had been lifting or handling goods in a dangerous way.

Musculoskeletal disorders are known to affect productivity, attendance and well-being yet these injuries are preventable. Manual handling training will teach you how to move equipment and goods safely. You’ll discover how to keep yourself and others free from injury as you: lift, pull, push, bend, transport, steady, twist, carry and move resources on-site.

Who is a manual handling training course for?

Construction is probably one of the most physical sectors you can work in. Lifting, carrying, manoeuvring and transporting goods is central to the work of any construction worker. That’s why manual handling training is necessary for all staff across the industry. Managers must know how to plan, implement and monitor safe practice whilst staff need to understand how to carry out their work correctly.

Whether you’re a labourer, driver, administrator, site supervisor or manager, this course is not to be missed.

What does manual handling training involve?

Your manual handling training will be a 3-hour course that you can attend in person or take online. You can also arrange for training to be delivered to you and your colleagues/team on-site or at a location of your choice.

The thorough course programme will guide you through all the practical skills and background knowledge you need to know to keep yourself and others free from harm when handling goods on-site.

You’ll be taught in a small group of up to about 10

The purpose of the course is to ensure every member of staff has solid knowledge and understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe from injury at work. Workplace safety is everybody’s business.

If health and safety is seen as a top-down action, accidents will inevitably happen. For workplaces to be safe environments, it’s really important every member of staff is properly trained, vigilant and educated about the role we each play in operating safely in the work environment.

From legislation to mechanical aids, best techniques and appropriate load weights for lifting, your manual handling training will cover all you need to know about handling and lifting goods without causing yourself or others harm.

During the manual handling training course you’ll learn:

  • current industry regulations and requirements for manual handling, including the 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations and HSE guidance.
  • your responsibilities as an employee when handling resources, goods and equipment.
  • your employer’s responsibilities to provide staff with a safe work environment.
  • established techniques and principles for handling resources, goods and equipment safely.
  • the types of injuries which commonly occur when good practice is not followed.
  • how to spot and address potential dangers in the workplace within the context of manual handling operations.
  • how to plan and conduct risk assessments, ensuring adequate controls are in place to mitigate possible accidents.

What is a manual handling test?

The importance of safe practice when working on construction sites cannot be overestimated so it’s really important your knowledge and understanding of safe manual handling is evidenced and proven.

Competence in health and safety is invaluable to employers, particularly in the construction industry where accident rates are high. You’ll be able to cite manual handling training when applying for jobs in future so though assessment may feel like an unnecessary hassle now, you’ll certainly reap added benefits in future.

The assessment for manual handling training involves a 20-question multiple choice test. Test questions will be about the topics covered during training and you’ll need to achieve an 80% pass mark to successfully complete the course.

If you fail your manual handling assessment you can re-take the test. There is no limit to how many times you can re-take the manual handling test but if you use our free practice tests beforehand, you’ll pass first time. Our mock manual handling tests are free and available for you to use online to revise as often as you wish.

What is manual handling training certificate?

Once you pass your manual safety handling test you’ll receive a valuable certificate you can use to evidence your knowledge when applying for future roles. Manual handling certificates last for up to 3 years. Before the certificate expires you’ll need to take a refresher course to ensure your learning is up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidance.

The 3-year time span is consistent with all health and safety certification because it’s crucial trained staff remain in step with current practice.

Why take a manual handling training course?

Workplace injuries are a major concern for the construction industry which has historically had a much higher rate of workplace accidents than almost every other sector. Amongst a number of initiatives to improve industry performance for health and safety, training is a top priority.

Attending a manual handling training course is one of the best ways to ensure all staff know how to lift and handle the many pieces of equipment and resources workers use on construction sites daily. Construction is an extremely physical sector with staff lifting and carrying all sorts of objects all day.

To raise standards, it’s critical everyone takes responsibility for their own safe practice. Those in leadership must be able to manage, implement, monitor and plan for safety. Meanwhile team members should be able to follow protocols and support colleagues correctly.

Your manual handling course will ensure you have a secure knowledge of everything from: common injury risks on site to how to use support equipment correctly, the best ways to handle goods, how to organise handling on site efficiently and how to monitor practice.

In taking manual handling training, you’ll ensure you know how to keep yourself safe on construction sites and can also help others remain free from injury. A secure knowledge of good practice for handling loads will see your productivity and performance increase as you work through more efficient methods and are able to keep your body in top condition.

You can cite training on application forms to show future employers you know how to stay safe on site and follow company protocols for health and safety. Both are important skills, highly regarded by employers who don’t want to have costly, ruinous accidents and injuries occurring on their premises.

What are the main principles of manual handling?

During the course you’ll learn more about the key fundamentals for safe manual handling. Safe practice involves making an honest appraisal of your own capabilities, the type of item you need to handle and the nature of the environment in which you are working, before taking any action.

  1. Evaluate the load: Heroics can lead to accidents so it’s critical to look at the type of load you need to move or stabilise. Think about the load realistically and consider how well-equipped you are to manage that resource in the existing environment. From your age to your height and degree of fitness, what challenges might you personally face if you handle the load? Can you move the load on your own or do you need help?
  2. Prepare: Make the environment and yourself safe for handling. Depending on what and how you need to move, you may need to put on protective clothing or equipment. Ensure you’re wearing stable, sturdy shoes which enable you to stand flat on the floor and keep your feet covered. If you think you need help, now’s the time to get it.
    Your body should be free from anything which could become trapped such as: loose sleeves, necklaces, trailing shoelaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. Restrictive clothing won’t allow you to flex and bend so check the clothes you have on give you the freedom of movement you need.
  3. Ready yourself for the load: We forget the important role our feet play in keeping us steady. Before taking any action you’ll need to ensure your feet are in a secure position so they can keep you body stable. During manual handling training you’ll learn and practice how to accurately position your feet to keep yourself free from injury.
  4. Correct technique: Your back is at high risk of injury when you handle equipment, resources and goods. The type of grip you use and how you carry the load will make a huge difference to your safety. Keep your back, muscles, joints and bones safe by following the correct procedures for gripping and holding equipment you’ll be taught and have to time to practice on the course.
  5. Posture: It’ so easy to slip into postures which force your spine into awkward positions. Poor posture alone can cause damage to the spine. If you attempt to handle a load whilst maintaining a poor posture you’ll put your spine under serious strain, likely to result in an injury. That’s why manual handling training includes both information-giving and practical activities so you can try out correct techniques for handling loads and ensure you get them right before returning to your own setting to use them daily.
  6. Smooth movement: When you do handle the load, the movement you use should be smooth and co-ordinated. The 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations sets out clear instructions for how you can do this safely. Learning the full range of correct procedures for moving a load during manual handling training will enable you to carry out your work more efficiently as you confidently move goods using tried and tested techniques.

Take a free practice manual handling quiz above and make sure you pass first time.