Best online manual handling courses in the UK (2026 comparison)

What to compare in an online manual handling course

HSE's training page says: "Training can be important in raising awareness and reducing risk, but it won't ensure safe manual handling on its own." It says training should cover risk factors and how injuries happen, mechanical aids, good handling technique, systems of work for your tasks, and practical work so a trainer can put right anything you are not doing safely. An online course covers the knowledge; your employer shows you the loads and tasks in your own job and checks your technique. With that in mind, compare:

• Content against the 1992 Regulations. Look for the avoid, assess, reduce approach and the TILEO factors (task, individual, load, environment and other factors).
• Length. The courses we checked run from 20 minutes to around 3 hours. A longer course usually covers technique, aids and pushing and pulling in more depth.
• The test. Check the pass mark and whether retakes are free.
• The certificate. It should show the course, hours, completion date and a refresh date, and your employer should be able to verify it.
• Refresh. Providers recommend anything from 1 to 3 years. Check what a refresher costs.
• The price you actually pay. Some providers print a figure before tax and add it at checkout.

Lift College's Manual Handling Training ends with a final test, 80% to pass with unlimited free retakes, and a certificate that shows your hours of learning, completion date and a recommended refresh date, with a unique number and a verification link.

Online manual handling courses compared (2026)

What each provider shows on its own course page, checked 26 October 2026. Lift College is listed first. Prices are what a buyer pays.

"Check provider" means the provider's page did not show that detail when we checked. Prices change, so check each provider before you buy.

Who each option suits

• You want a full course and a certificate you can show any employer, for one fixed payment: Lift College Manual Handling Training, 3 hours with a free refresher every 3 years.
• You only need a short awareness session: the 20 to 35 minute courses from British Safety Council and St John Ambulance.
• Your employer asks for a yearly refresh: check the refresher price. High Speed Training recommends 1 year; Lift College's refresher is free when it is due.
• You move people, not loads: in care, take Moving and Handling of People Training, 2 hours in 6 modules for £19.99, pay once. Your employer completes the practical assessment with you.

What you get with Lift College

• 5 modules: what manual handling means; the law: avoid, assess, reduce; assessing risk with TILEO; good handling technique; and pushing, pulling and aids.
• £19.99, pay once. One payment for one learner, no subscription, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
• 3 hours of learning that counts towards your CPD, with a knowledge check after each module and a final test, 80% to pass, unlimited free retakes.
• CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass, with a unique number and a verification link.
• Free refresher every 3 years. We email you 30 days before.
• Training a team? Each course is £16.99 a place on a free organisation account, and you can pay by card or by invoice with your PO.

Ready to start? Take manual handling training online with Lift College, or read our guide to free vs paid manual handling training.