Ergonomics, Manual Material Handling, and Safe Lifting Practices
This ergonomics training delivers practical instruction on proper lifting techniques, workstation ergonomics, and manual material handling to help prevent repetitive motion injuries and back strains. Participants learn how poor posture, ergonomic risk factors, and improper lifting contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—and how to prevent them using proven ergonomic principles and workplace safety practices.
The training applies to both office and industrial environments, making it relevant for workers who lift materials, perform repetitive tasks, or spend long hours at computer workstations. Content is aligned with OSHA lifting safety guidance and NIOSH recommendations, including safe lifting limits, ergonomic assessments, and injury prevention best practices.
Employees learn to identify ergonomic hazards, use proper body mechanics including the power zone lifting technique, and implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce injury risk. The course covers everything from neutral posture ergonomics and team lifting protocols to workstation setup and early MSD prevention.
To support ongoing learning beyond the course, Smarter Risk also provides a free Safe Lifting Calculator as a standalone resource. This tool allows workers and supervisors to evaluate lifting conditions and better understand how factors such as load position, frequency, and body mechanics affect lifting risk. Visit the Safe Lifting Calculator to access this free tool.
What You’ll Learn
- Workplace Ergonomics Principles - Apply ergonomic safety concepts to office and industrial work tasks
- Ergonomic Risk Factors - Identify and assess ergonomic hazards and repetitive strain injury risks
- Proper Lifting Techniques - Master power zone lifting and safe lifting limits
- Back Injury Prevention - Use correct body mechanics and lifting with legs not back technique
- Mechanical Lifting Aids - Know when to use equipment, team lifting, and job rotation for material handling safety
- Workstation Ergonomics - Set up computer workstations with neutral posture ergonomics
- Pushing and Pulling Safety - Apply proper techniques for safe material handling
- MSD Prevention - Recognize early signs of musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive motion injuries
- Reporting Procedures - Report ergonomic concerns and injuries promptly
Course Details
Duration: 40 minutes
Format: Self Paced Online Training
Assessment: Knowledge quiz with immediate feedback
Certification: Certificate of completion upon passing
Access: Available 24/7 through Training Director LMS
Who Should Take This Course
- Employees who lift, carry, push, or pull materials
- Warehouse, manufacturing, construction, and facilities personnel
- Office workers with workstation ergonomics or repetitive motion exposure
- Supervisors responsible for injury prevention and safe work practices
- Safety managers and ergonomics coordinators
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the training take?
The course takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Employees can pause and resume at their convenience.
Is this training OSHA compliant?
This training is designed to help organizations meet OSHA requirements for workplace safety. It covers OSHA ergonomics guidelines and NIOSH lifting equation principles, supporting employer compliance with OSHA’s General Duty Clause to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.
Do employees receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion, employees can generate a certificate of completion. All progress is stored and can be accessed in the main dashboard under Learner Report.
How often should employees take this training?
We recommend annual refresher training, and all course progress can be reset each year. Additional training may be needed when job tasks change or after an ergonomic injury.
Can we track completion?
Yes. Training Director provides real-time tracking of assignments, completion status, and quiz scores.
Is this appropriate for both office and industrial workers?
Yes. The training covers ergonomics principles applicable to both office environments (workstation setup, repetitive motion) and industrial settings (manual material handling, lifting, pushing, pulling).
What is power zone lifting?
Power zone lifting is a proper lifting technique where you keep the load between mid-thigh and mid-chest height, close to your body. This position provides maximum strength and control while minimizing back strain and injury risk.
What are safe lifting limits?
Safe lifting limits vary based on factors like load position, frequency, and distance. NIOSH guidelines recommend a maximum of 51 pounds under ideal conditions, but this decreases significantly with awkward positions, repetitive lifting, or extended reach. The training covers how to assess these factors.
Get Started
Ergonomics, Manual Material Handling, and Safe Lifting Practices Training is included with the Intelligent Plan.
- Sign up - You can begin on the free plan and upgrade when you’re ready to assign courses.
- Complete the company risk assessment (required) - It takes less than 15 minutes. Answer all questions as accurately as possible so we can set up your account correctly.
- Access your dashboard - After submitting the assessment, you’ll be redirected to your dashboard.
- Click Training Director - Start assigning courses to your team.
Related Resources
Related Training Courses
- Hand and Power Tool Safety Training - Safe tool use and injury prevention
- PPE - Personal Protective Equipment Safety - Proper equipment selection and use
- Machine Guarding Safety Training - Equipment safety and hazard prevention
Related Blog Posts
- Put It in Writing: Why an Ergonomics and Safe Lifting Policy is Key to Preventing Injuries - Complete guide to ergonomics policies and preventing musculoskeletal disorders
- The True Cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance - Understanding the financial impact of workplace injuries including back injuries
Related Toolbox Talks
- Safe Lifting Techniques - Quick safety discussion on proper lifting techniques
- Ergonomics and Injury Prevention: Musculoskeletal Health Protection - Comprehensive ergonomic principles for injury prevention
- Preventing Back Injuries: Spine Protection and Lifting Safety - Back injury prevention through proper lifting techniques
Tools & Resources
- Safe Lifting Calculator - Free interactive tool to determine safe lifting limits based on NIOSH lifting equation and ergonomic factors