What Is Manual Handling Awareness

What is manual handling awareness, as distinct from manual handling competence? The two are used interchangeably in course catalogues and they are not the same thing.

Awareness means a worker can recognise a hazardous manual task, understands the risk factors, knows what to report and to whom, and knows the controls available. It can be delivered online and assessed with questions.

Competence means the person can perform a specific task safely, including using particular equipment in a particular setting. It requires demonstration and observation by someone qualified, and it cannot be established by a module alone.

The practical implication is what you can claim afterwards. An awareness course does not evidence that a worker is competent to operate a hoist or carry out a two-person transfer.

Safe Work Australia covers the training duty. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s manual handling course and learning management system.