Oposiciones →
Module 1 of 8 · 20 min

What manual handling is and why it hurts your back

Free manual handling course: read the module, review with the questions and move on to the next one. At the end, a test and a PDF certificate.

Module 1 of 8 · Course contents

Handling a load means carrying or holding it by hand, by one or more people: lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling or moving it. Royal Decree 487/1997 covers loads that, because of their features or poor conditions, carry a risk, especially to the lower back (articles 1 and 2).

From what weight?

The decree gives no weight. The INSST technical guide (2024) uses this table:

  • Under 3 kg: other risks must be checked, such as repetitive movements and awkward postures.
  • From 3 to 25 kg: the risk must be assessed.
  • Over 25 kg: probably an intolerable risk in itself.

Not only your back

Besides back injuries, handling loads exposes you to slips and trips, falling objects, knocks, cuts and trapping, which must also be analysed.

In practiceA shelf stacker places hundreds of 1 kg jars on a high shelf. Each jar is light, but the repetition and arms above shoulder height are a risk the assessment must look at.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), articles 1 and 2 · INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 2 and table 1

Quick review

Check that you've understood. These are questions from the final test: tap an answer to see whether it's right and why.

Under Royal Decree 487/1997, what is manual handling of a load?

What maximum weight does the decree set for lifting by hand?

According to the INSST guide, from what weight must the risk be assessed if the load is handled in poor conditions?

Course contents