Manual Handling Competency Assessment Form

How to Use the Manual Handling Competency Assessment Form

Purpose

This assessment form is designed to evaluate an employee’s competency in manual handling tasks, ensuring they can perform these activities safely and in compliance with health and safety regulations.

When to Use This Assessment

• New Employee Induction: Assess all new staff who will perform manual handling tasks.
• Annual Reviews: Regular competency checks (recommended annually).
• After Incidents: Following any manual handling-related accident or near miss.
• Role Changes: When employees move to positions requiring different manual handling skills.
• Training Verification: To confirm effectiveness of manual handling training.
• Compliance Audits: As part of health and safety documentation.

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Who Should Conduct the Assessment

The assessor should be:

• A qualified manual handling trainer or instructor
• A health and safety officer with manual handling expertise
• A supervisor with appropriate training and competency assessment experience
• Someone who holds a recognised manual handling training qualification

Before the Assessment

Preparation Steps:

• Schedule Appropriately: Allow 30-45 minutes for a thorough assessment
• Prepare Equipment: Ensure all manual handling aids are available (hoists, slide sheets, lifting belts, etc.)
• Set Up Environment: Create a safe, realistic workplace scenario
• Review Employee Records: Check previous training records and any relevant medical information
• Explain the Process: Brief the employee on what the assessment involves

Required Materials:

• Manual handling equipment relevant to the job role
• Appropriate loads for demonstration (safe, realistic weights)
• First aid kit (as a precaution)
• Employee’s job description or manual handling risk assessment

Conducting the Assessment

Part 1: Knowledge Check

How to Assess:

• Ask open-ended questions for each knowledge area
• Allow the employee to explain concepts in their own words
• Look for understanding, not just memorized answers
• Tick (✔) only if the employee demonstrates clear understanding

Sample Questions:

• “What is manual handling and when does it apply in your role?”
• “What injuries can result from poor lifting technique?”
• “How would you assess whether you can safely lift something?”
• “When would you use a hoist instead of manual lifting?”

Part 2: Practical Assessment

How to Assess:

• Observe actual demonstrations of manual handling tasks
• Use realistic scenarios from the employee’s job role
• Allow multiple attempts if the employee is nervous
• Focus on safety rather than speed
• Tick (✔) only when the task is performed safely and correctly

Key Observation Points:

• Does the employee think before acting?
• Are movements smooth and controlled?
• Is communication clear during team handling?
• Does the employee recognise their limitations?

Completing the Form

Recording Observations:

• Can Do Column: Only tick if competency is clearly demonstrated
• Comments Section: Record specific observations, both positive and areas for improvement
• Be Specific: Note exact behaviours observed rather than general statements

Writing Feedback:

Strengths Section:

• Highlight specific good practices observed
• Acknowledge prior experience or training
• Note any exceptional safety awareness

Areas for Improvement:

• Be constructive and specific
• Focus on behaviours that need development
• Link to safety implications where relevant

Recommended Actions:

• Specify exactly what additional support is needed
• Set realistic timescales for improvement
• Identify who will provide additional training or supervision

Assessment Outcomes

Competent

Mark this if the employee:

• Demonstrates good knowledge in all key areas
• Performs practical tasks safely and correctly
• Shows appropriate risk awareness
• Can work independently without supervision

Not Yet Competent

Mark this if the employee:

• Has knowledge gaps in critical areas
• Demonstrates unsafe practices
• Needs additional training or support
• Requires ongoing supervision

After the Assessment

For Competent Employees:

• File the assessment in their training record
• Schedule next review date (typically 12 months)
• Ensure they understand ongoing responsibilities
• Monitor performance through regular observation

For Not Yet Competent Employees:

• Immediate Action: Restrict manual handling duties if unsafe
• Training Plan: Arrange additional training within specified timeframe
• Supervision: Assign competent colleague to provide guidance
• Re-assessment: Schedule follow-up assessment after training
• Documentation: Record all actions taken in personnel file

Record Keeping

• Store completed forms securely for minimum 3 years
• Include in employee training records
• Make available for health and safety audits
• Use data to identify training needs across the organisation

Quality Assurance

• Have assessments reviewed by senior health and safety personnel
• Ensure consistency between different assessors
• Update assessment criteria based on incident trends
• Regular calibration of assessment standards

Legal Compliance

This assessment supports compliance with:

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Care Quality Commission requirements (for care settings)
• Insurance and liability requirements

Contact Information

For training, assessment guidance, or course bookings:

Email ✉️: enquiries@caringforcare.co.uk | Call 📞: 01782 563333

Provider: Caring for Care Training – Top UK Health and Social Care Training

Manual Handling Competency Assessment Form (print or download)

Why Manual Handling Competency is So Important

The Numbers Don’t Lie

What’s Happening in UK Workplaces:

1 in 5 workplace injuries are caused by manual handling – that’s lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling things at work. Last year alone, over 125,000 people got hurt doing manual handling tasks.

300,000 people in the UK suffer from back pain every year because of manual handling accidents. That’s like the entire population of Coventry getting injured just from lifting things at work.

Real People, Real Pain

What This Means for Workers:

• Back injuries that can last a lifetime
• Time off work – sometimes months or even permanently
• Daily struggles – simple things like picking up your kids or doing the shopping become painful
• Lost wages when you can’t work
• Stress and worry about your future

Many people think a sore back will just get better, but damage to your back, neck or spine can lead to extreme pain, temporary disability or permanent injury.

The Cost to Britain

Lost Time and Money:

More than 1.6 million working days are lost every year because of manual handling injuries. That’s like shutting down a city the size of Birmingham for an entire day.

The overall cost of workplace injuries and illness is £18.8 billion every year. That money could build thousands of schools or hospitals instead.

It’s the HSE Regulation and UK Law

Legal Requirements:

• Employers must assess manual handling risks
• Workers must be properly trained
• Companies can face prosecution if someone gets seriously hurt
• Hefty fines and compensation claims can bankrupt businesses

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 aren’t just suggestions – they’re legal requirements that protect workers.

Why Competency Assessment Works

1. Prevention is Better Than Cure:

• Spot problems before someone gets hurt
• Build confidence so workers know they’re doing it right
• Save money on insurance, sick pay and compensation
• Keep good workers instead of losing them to injury

2. Real Benefits for Everyone:

• Workers go home safe and healthy every day
• Bosses don’t have the stress and cost of accidents
• Families don’t have to cope with injured breadwinners
• The NHS doesn’t have to treat preventable injuries

Common Sense Approach

What Good Training Does:

• Shows you the right way to lift and carry
• Helps you recognise dangers before they hurt you
• Gives you confidence to say “no” to unsafe tasks
• Teaches you to use equipment properly
• Shows you when to ask for help

Manual Handling Is Not Rocket Science:

What you need to do is

• Keep your back straight
• Bend your knees, not your back
• Get a good grip
• Keep the load close to your body
• Don’t twist while lifting
• Know your limits

Who Needs This Manual Handling Competency Template?

Pretty Much Everyone:

• Care workers helping residents move about
• Warehouse staff moving boxes and packages
• Nurses helping patients
• Shop workers stocking shelves
• Office workers moving furniture or supplies
• Builders carrying tools and materials

If your job involves lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling anything heavier than a cup of tea, you need proper training.

The Bottom Line: Manual Handling Competency

Manual handling competency isn’t about ticking boxes or keeping inspectors happy.

It’s about:

• Getting home in one piece every day
• Protecting your health for the future
• Keeping your job and earning power
• Looking after your family’s financial security
• Building a workplace where everyone feels safe

The Simple Truth:

A few hours of proper training can prevent a lifetime of pain. That’s time well spent for everyone – workers, employers, and families.

Book a manual handling training today: Fill this form for group booking or book individual training or buy manual handling theory training only (e-learning) from £2.00.

Note that for in-house training, courses can be customised.