Bringing a crew from five sites to one room for a manual handling course costs a day's work. With SafeHandle each worker trains on their own phone, films a lift on site, and has a certificate the same day once a qualified instructor approves it.
What the law requires
Under S.I. No. 299 of 2007, employers must assess the manual handling risks of the work and train staff who handle loads. Training must cover the theory and a practical element suited to the tasks. Construction work, with blocks, materials and awkward loads, is exactly what the regulations have in mind.
How SafeHandle works for construction
- No site visits to arrange. Workers register with your company code and do the course on their phone.
- Eight lessons and a quiz with an 80% pass mark, in about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Practical video assessed by a person. Each worker films a lift, and a QQI Level 6 qualified manual handling instructor reviews it before a certificate is issued.
- Numbered certificate, same day, valid for three years and checkable by a main contractor at a1ro.ie/verify.
- A completion record of who has been certified, for your safety file.
- Invoiced monthly for the workers certified. No upfront payment.
For subcontractors and agencies: a main contractor can confirm a certificate at a1ro.ie/verify with the certificate number and surname. No personal details are shown.
Questions
Is online manual handling training accepted on construction sites in Ireland?
The regulations require theory and a practical element, not a classroom. SafeHandle includes both, with every practical video reviewed by a qualified instructor. Some main contractors set their own induction rules, so check site requirements as well.
How can a main contractor check a certificate?
At a1ro.ie/verify with the certificate number and the holder's surname. It confirms whether the certificate is valid without showing personal details.
How long is the certificate valid?
Three years, with a reminder before it expires.
How much does it cost?
€20 per worker on a corporate account, invoiced monthly, or €35 for an individual paying by card.
Related: what happens if an untrained employee is injured and HSA requirements for manual handling training.