The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is Ireland's national body for workplace safety, and its guidance shapes how employers handle manual handling risk. This guide explains the HSA's expectations in plain terms, as an informational source - it does not imply HSA endorsement of any specific course.
Following HSA guidance is the surest way to keep workers safe and stay compliant.
Key takeaways
- The Health and Safety Authority, Ireland's national authority for occupational safety and health, which enforces and provides guidance on manual handling.
- The HSA sets duties and publishes guidance rather than endorsing individual courses.
- That workers should understand manual handling risks and correct techniques, supported by suitable information, instruction and training.
- Assess risks, reduce them, train your people and keep records - then review regularly.
What the HSA expects
The HSA expects employers to assess manual handling risks, reduce them using the avoid-reduce-protect approach, and provide suitable information, instruction and training. It publishes guidance and tools to support this.
Risk assessment guidance
HSA guidance points to assessing the task, individual, load and environment, and recording the findings. This is the basis of a sound manual handling risk assessment.
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Training guidance
The HSA highlights that workers should understand the risks and the correct techniques. Recognised training such as our Manual Handling Course helps meet this, with certificates for your records.
A note on accreditation
We reference the HSA only as the relevant authority and guidance source. Our course is described as HSA compliant - meaning aligned with the duties and guidance - alongside QQI-compliant, CPD and RoSPA accreditation.
What this online course does and does not replace
This online course supports awareness and understanding of safe manual handling principles, correct lifting technique, common hazards and your responsibilities at work. You finish with a recognised Manual Handling Certificate you can show an employer.
Employers may still need to provide task-specific training, supervision and a written manual handling risk assessment for the actual loads and tasks in your workplace. Workers should always follow their employer's procedures, on-site manual handling assessments and internal safety rules. This course does not automatically replace workplace-specific training or practical instruction where these are required by the role.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HSA?
The Health and Safety Authority, Ireland's national authority for occupational safety and health, which enforces and provides guidance on manual handling.
Does the HSA approve specific courses?
The HSA sets duties and publishes guidance rather than endorsing individual courses. We describe our training as aligned with HSA guidance.
What does HSA guidance say about training?
That workers should understand manual handling risks and correct techniques, supported by suitable information, instruction and training.
How do I follow HSA guidance?
Assess risks, reduce them, train your people and keep records - then review regularly.
Related Manual Handling guides
- Manual Handling Regulations Ireland Explained
- Manual Handling Risk Assessment Ireland: A How-To
- Manual Handling Employer Responsibilities in Ireland
- Manual Handling Course Online Ireland: Train in 45 Minutes
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