EH&S Environmental Health & Safety Introduction15 minCompliance tier
Material Handling
Handle materials safely to prevent injuries
What you'll be able to do
•Apply safe manual lifting technique, keeping loads close, using your legs, and avoiding twisting under load
•Assess a load before moving it, checking weight, size, grip, and the path you will travel
•Decide when to use a mechanical aid, get help, or break a load down rather than lifting alone
•Handle, stack, and set down materials in ways that protect your back, hands, and feet
Who it's for
Employees who lift, carry, push, pull, or stack materials by hand, common in warehouse, production, shipping, and stockroom roles. Useful for supervisors reinforcing safe handling habits on the floor.
What changes on the job
•Fewer strains and back injuries from manual lifting and carrying
•More use of team lifts and mechanical aids for heavy or awkward loads
•Loads assessed and paths cleared before handling instead of after a near-miss
Bring this course to your team
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How is this different from the ergonomic hazards course?
The ergonomics course covers a broad range of strain risks, including seated and repetitive work. This course focuses specifically on the safe handling, lifting, and stacking of materials, so the two reinforce each other for physical roles.
How long is the course?
About 15 minutes, self-paced. It is a natural onboarding item for any material-handling role and a good periodic refresher.
Is there a weight limit I should never lift alone?
There is no single universal number, because grip, size, height, and frequency all matter. The course teaches you to assess the load and choose a team lift or mechanical aid when it is heavy, awkward, or repetitive.