Manual Handling
Avoiding or reducing lifting and carrying, assessing task, load, individual and environment, and using planned aids.
How to prepare for the CITB Operatives test
Connect hazard recognition with safe action: stop, protect, follow the site system and escalate to the right competent person.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Avoid hazardous manual handling where practicable, then reduce the remaining risk through design, delivery, mechanical aids and work organisation.
Exam cue: Ask whether the load can be delivered, stored or assembled without manual lifting.
Concept 2
Risk depends on the task, load, individual capability and environment rather than a single universal safe weight.
Exam cue: Check route, grip, stability, visibility, posture and destination before movement.
Concept 3
Training in technique supports but does not replace changing an awkward, heavy, unstable or repetitive handling task.
Exam cue: Use a team or mechanical aid only when the method is planned and everyone understands it.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Quoting one maximum weight as safe for every person and condition.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Twisting while carrying because the destination was not cleared.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Using a damaged trolley or an attachment that is not suitable for the load.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Memory anchors
Avoid Before Lift
Remove the handling task or use mechanical movement where reasonably practicable.
TILE Changes Risk
Consider task, individual, load and environment together.
Plan the Route
Clear obstructions, confirm destination and protect visibility before moving.
Load Close, Move Smooth
Use a stable posture and avoid sudden twisting or jerking.
No Universal Weight
Capability and conditions decide risk; a number alone does not guarantee safety.
Technique Is the Add-On
Training complements redesign and aids but cannot make a poor task safe by itself.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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