Final test · 30 questions

Final test: Manual handling of loads

30 questions with the explanation and the rule behind each answer. You pass with 24; if you pass, you download the PDF certificate right here.

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Missed a module? Review it first:

1. What manual handling is and why it hurts your back
2. What the employer must do
3. How much weight: the INSST references
4. Distance, height and twisting
5. Frequency, pace and rest
6. Pushing and pulling: trolleys and pallet trucks
7. The environment, clothing and your personal factors
8. How to lift step by step and when to speak up

Final test: 30 questions

Answer all 30 questions. You pass with 24 or more correct (80%). When it is marked you will see the explanation and the rule behind each answer. You can retake it as many times as you like.

1. Under Royal Decree 487/1997, what is manual handling of a load?Only lifting it off the floorOnly carrying it in a vehicleCarrying or holding it by hand: lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling or moving itOnly moving it with a crane

The definition in article 2 includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling and moving.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 2

2. Which risk does the decree focus on in particular?Electrical riskThe lower-back (dorsolumbar) riskNoiseChemical risk

Article 1 speaks of risks, «in particular dorsolumbar».

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 1

3. What maximum weight does the decree set for lifting by hand?15 kg40 kg80 kgNone: the decree sets no weight

The INSST guide makes it clear: the decree sets no value; the guide gives references.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 2

4. According to the INSST guide, from what weight must the risk be assessed if the load is handled in poor conditions?From 3 kgFrom 10 kgFrom 25 kgFrom 50 kg

The guide, following ISO 11228-1, considers loads of 3 kg or more.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 2, table 1

5. A load of more than 25 kg, according to the INSST guide…Is always safe if you are strongIs only a risk in summerIs probably an intolerable risk in itselfIs banned by the decree

That is what table 1 of the guide says for loads over 25 kg.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 1

6. What is the first thing the employer must try?To give each worker a back beltTo avoid manual handling, above all with mechanical equipmentTo hire stronger peopleTo pay a weight bonus

Article 3.1 requires measures to avoid manual handling, especially using mechanical equipment.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 3.1

7. If handling cannot be avoided, what must the employer do?Assess the risk using the factors in the annex and reduce it through organisation and equipmentNothing moreAsk the worker to sign that they accept the riskJust put up a sign

Article 3.2: organisational measures, suitable means and assessment using the annex factors.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 3.2

8. What information about the load must your employer give you?Its priceWho made itNoneIts weight and, if the contents are off-centre, its centre of gravity or heavier side

Article 4 requires indications on the weight and, if the packaging is off-centre, on its centre of gravity.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 4

9. Is training enough to prevent manual handling risks?Yes, alwaysNo: training complements other measures but does not replace themYes, if it lasts more than 20 hoursYes, if it is online

The INSST guide stresses that training is not enough on its own and goes with measures of another kind.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 4

10. When must the employer guarantee health surveillance?NeverOnly if the worker is over 60When handling is habitual and one of the risk factors in the annex is presentOnly after an accident

That is what article 6 of Royal Decree 487/1997 says.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 6

11. In ideal conditions, what weight should men aged 20 to 45 not exceed?15 kg35 kg50 kg25 kg

Table 2 of the guide: 25 kg for men aged 20 to 45.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 2

12. And women aged 20 to 45?10 kg25 kg20 kg30 kg

Table 2 of the guide: 20 kg for women aged 20 to 45.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 2

13. For women under 20 or over 45, what is the reference?15 kg20 kg5 kg25 kg

Table 2 of the guide: 15 kg for women under 20 or over 45 (20 kg for men of those ages).

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 2

14. What are the «ideal conditions» in the guide?Any load with handlesLoad close to the body, at hip height, straight back, no twisting and a good gripLifting quickly to finish soonerLifting above the head

The guide describes them like this; if they are not met, the maximum weight gradually goes down.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on the annex, point 1

15. Two people lift a load together. According to the guide, their capacity is…Double that of one personThe same as one personThree times that of one personTwo thirds of the sum of their individual capacities

With two people, two thirds of the sum; with three, half of the sum.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 3.2

16. Why is handling loads while seated riskier?Because you weigh lessBecause you cannot use your leg strength and the effort falls on arms and trunkBecause it is notBecause you see the load less well

The guide explains this among the situations that need specific analysis.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 3.2

17. What horizontal distance between hands and body does the guide recommend?25 cm or lessAt least 50 cmAt least 1 metreIt does not matter

The recommended horizontal distance should be 25 cm or less.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on the annex, point 4

18. Between which heights is the good zone for raising or lowering a load?Between the floor and the kneesAbove the headBetween knuckle height and shoulder heightBetween the ankles and the knees

Acceptable vertical travel is between knuckles and shoulders, and never above the head.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on the annex, point 4

19. What should you do to change direction with a load in your hands?Turn with your feet, without twisting your trunkTwist your waist quicklyThrow the loadTurn your neck

Twisting the trunk increases compression on the lower back; the annex counts twisting as a risk.

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

20. What ideal carrying distance does the guide give for a raised load?Up to 50 metresNo more than 1 metreAny, if the load is lightAt least 10 metres

Ideally no more than 1 m; over 10 m means great physical demands.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on the annex, point 4

21. If each carry is 10 to 20 metres, what cumulative weight per shift should not be exceeded?6,000 kg3,600 kg1,200 kg10,000 kg

Table 5 of the guide: 6,000 kg for 1 to 5 m, 3,600 for 5 to 10 m and 1,200 for 10 to 20 m.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 5

22. According to the guide, when is the risk high in a task lasting more than 2 hours?If there are more than 2 per hourNever, if there is a break at the endOnly if the load weighs over 50 kgIf there are more than 10 lifts per minute

Table 4 of the guide (ISO 11228-1): more than 10 lifts per minute for handling lasting more than 2 hours.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 4

23. Which of these is a demand of the activity that the annex considers a risk?Having fixed working hoursA pace set by a process the worker cannot adjustWorking in a teamWearing a uniform

Point 4 of the annex names set pace, frequent efforts, insufficient rest and long distances.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), annex, point 4

24. Is pushing a trolley manual handling?Yes: pushing and pulling are in the definitionNo, because it has wheelsOnly if it weighs over 100 kgOnly in construction

Article 2 expressly includes pushing and pulling.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 2

25. According to the guide, what initial pushing force should men not exceed?150 N1,000 N360 NThere is no reference

Table 3 of the guide (ISO/TR 12295): men 360 N initial and 250 N sustained; women 240 and 150 N.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), table 3

26. At what height should your hands be when pushing or pulling?At knee heightAbove the headIt does not matterBetween knuckle height and shoulder height

Outside that range the force is applied too low or too high.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on article 2

27. Which of these features of the environment increases the risk, according to the annex?An uneven or slippery floorA well-lit warehouseA dry, level floorA pleasant temperature

Point 3 of the annex names uneven or slippery floors, changes in level, little space, poor light, etc.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), annex, point 3

28. What does the INSST guide say about lumbar support belts?They are compulsoryThey replace the risk assessmentThey are not advised for handling loads, unless medically prescribedThey let you lift twice as much

The guide advises against them unless used on medical prescription.

Source: INSST, Guía técnica de manipulación manual de cargas (technical guide, 2024 edition, in Spanish), comments on the annex, point 5

29. Which of these is an individual risk factor according to the annex?Having long hairAlready having a back injuryBeing left-handedWearing glasses

Point 5 of the annex includes previous back problems, lack of fitness, unsuitable clothing and lack of training.

Source: Real Decreto 487/1997, sobre manipulación manual de cargas (manual handling of loads; consolidated text, in Spanish), annex, point 5

30. You notice a load you must move is much heavier than stated. What should you do?Move it anyway without saying anythingWait until the end of the month to say soThrow it awayImmediately report it to your supervisor and those responsible for prevention

Article 29 requires you to report immediately any situation that, on reasonable grounds, involves a risk.

Source: Ley 31/1995, de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, in Spanish), article 29.2.4

Your PDF training certificate

Unlocked when you pass the test (24 out of 30).

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This is a free-format certificate of theory training. It is not an assessment of your job and does not replace the theory and practical training on the correct way to handle loads that your employer must give you (Royal Decree 487/1997, article 4).

Next step: the mechanical aid

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Final test: Manual handling of loads

Final test: 30 questions

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