Warehouses take on new starters every week, on shifts that never line up with a classroom date. With SafeHandle a new starter can do the course on their phone and be certified the day they start, with the practical lift still assessed by a qualified instructor.
What the law requires
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), employers must assess manual handling risks and give staff who handle loads training in how to do it safely. Training has to cover both theory and practice. The HSA does not require it to be delivered in a classroom.
How SafeHandle works for a warehouse
- Staff use your company code at a1ro.ie/mh, so nobody pays by card and every learner is linked to your account.
- Eight short lessons and a quiz with an 80% pass mark, done on a phone in about 30 to 45 minutes.
- A practical video. Each learner films a lift, and a QQI Level 6 qualified manual handling instructor reviews it before anything is issued.
- Numbered certificate the same day, valid for three years, which employers and insurers can check at a1ro.ie/verify.
- Reminders for learners who start and don't finish, and before certificates expire.
- Invoiced monthly for the people certified that month. No upfront payment.
Why it suits warehouses: high turnover, rotating shifts and agency staff mean classroom dates are always wrong for someone. Online training with a real practical assessment removes the scheduling without dropping the practical part.
Questions
Is online manual handling training valid for warehouse staff in Ireland?
Yes, provided it covers both theory and a practical assessment, as required under S.I. No. 299 of 2007. The HSA does not mandate classroom delivery. SafeHandle includes a theory course, a quiz and a practical video reviewed by a qualified instructor.
How long does a manual handling certificate last?
SafeHandle certificates are valid for three years. Learners are reminded before they expire.
Can agency staff use our company account?
Yes. Anyone who registers with your company code is linked to your account and included on your monthly invoice.
How much does it cost?
€20 per learner on a corporate account, invoiced monthly. Individuals paying by card pay €35.
Related: HSA requirements for manual handling training and how long a manual handling certificate lasts.