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HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely

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 Campus locations: Sydney

UNIT DESCRIPTION

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise potentially hazardous manual tasks, prepare for those tasks, and complete them safely. It applies to workers who are involved in manual handling tasks across a range of workplace settings.

 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • This unit provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to perform manual handling tasks safely and effectively in the workplace. Participants will develop an understanding of:
  • Work health and safety (WHS) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relating to manual tasks
  • Employer and employee responsibilities for maintaining a safe workplace
  • Workplace consultation processes and incident reporting requirements, including injury and workers’ compensation procedures
  • Risk management principles for identifying, assessing and controlling manual handling hazards
  • Common risk factors associated with hazardous manual tasks, including repetitive movements, force, awkward postures, vibration and unsafe work systems
  • The types of manual handling tasks and the injuries that can result from poor technique
  • Basic anatomy and biomechanics, including spinal function, body posture, muscle groups and leverage principles
  • Safe manual handling techniques, including preparing the load and work area, maintaining a neutral spine, using leg muscles when lifting, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding overhead lifting and twisting, and minimising repetitive movements
  • The safe use of mechanical aids, tools and equipment to reduce the risk of injury

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

This single-unit enrolment is open to both international and domestic students aged 18 years and over.

Applicants are required to provide evidence that they meet the academic and English language entry requirements for this unit.

In line with the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations, prospective students are required to have their language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills reviewed before enrolment. This process helps the College determine whether the unit is suitable for the student and whether any additional support may be required.

Where support needs are identified, the College may provide reasonable assistance or learning support to help students meet the requirements of the unit.

Applicants who have successfully completed any AQF qualification, delivered and assessed in English, is deemed to meet the academic and English language entry requirements.

 

 

 

ASSESSMENT AND DELIVERY STRUCTURE

HLTWHS005 Conduct Manual Tasks Safely is delivered through a flexible online learning and practical assessment model.

This unit may also be delivered face-to-face, with students assessed in class.

The unit is structured as follows:

Online Self-Paced Learning

Students complete the learning content, readings, resources and Moodle knowledge activities online. These activities support students to develop the required underpinning knowledge before completing assessment tasks.

Online Knowledge Assessment

Students complete an online Moodle quiz to assess the required knowledge for the unit. This includes WHS responsibilities, hazardous manual tasks, risk factors, safe manual handling techniques, incident reporting and workplace consultation processes.

Practical Video Submissions

Students submit three separate video demonstrations showing correct manual handling techniques. Each video must demonstrate a different manual handling task and include preparation, hazard checking, safe posture, correct handling technique and appropriate risk control measures.

The practical video submissions allow assessors to review and retain evidence of the student’s ability to prepare for and complete manual handling tasks safely.

Hazard Identification Form / Manual Handling Template

Students also complete a hazard identification form or manual handling template. This task requires students to identify manual handling hazards, assess risks and outline possible control measures.

This delivery approach allows the theory component of the unit to be completed online while still ensuring the practical evidence requirements are addressed through assessor-reviewed video submissions. The use of three separate practical demonstrations provides evidence that students can safely complete different manual handling tasks, rather than relying only on written responses.

This model also provides a clear assessment trail for compliance purposes, as students’ practical performance evidence can be reviewed and retained. It supports flexible online delivery while ensuring the practical requirements of the unit are appropriately assessed.

 

RESOURCE  REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to have access to a laptop or desktop computer to complete learning activities and assessments during scheduled class sessions and in their own study time.

Students will receive access to the College’s online learning platform, where they can access course materials, learning resources and submit assessments.

 

EXIT POINT/AWARD

Students who successfully complete HLTWHS005 Conduct Manual Tasks Safely will be issued with a Statement of Attainment by Mercury Colleges.

This is a nationally recognised unit of competency delivered under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).