ManualHandlingIreland.ie
Student guide

How to Take the Practical Assessment

The practical assessment is a short filmed lift, recorded or uploaded straight from your course page and reviewed by our certified instructor. Here's exactly how it works, and what happens after you submit.

What the practical assessment is

The practical assessment shows us you can apply the safe lifting technique from the course in real life. You film yourself performing one lift, and our certified instructor reviews the recording and approves it or asks for a retake. It's included in the Manual Handling Theory + Practical Assessment option (€40), and theory-only students can add it later from their certificate page for €10.

Before you record

Everything happens on the Practical step of your course page — you don't need any extra apps.

  • A clear space with room to bend and lift safely
  • Something to lift — a small box, a bag or a similar work-like load
  • A phone or webcam positioned side-on if possible, so your back and knees are visible
  • Clothing you would normally wear for the task
  • The instruction video in the Practical step watched, and the written notes read

How to record your lift

  1. 1

    Open the Practical step

    From your course progress line, click the Practical step. If you haven't watched it yet, the instruction video plays first.

  2. 2

    Read the notes

    The written instruction notes summarise the technique you are about to demonstrate.

  3. 3

    Click Next to the recording part

    Your camera opens right on the page. Start recording, position yourself so your full body and the load are in frame, then perform the lift as demonstrated in the instruction video.

  4. 4

    Submit — or upload instead

    Submit the recording straight away, or upload a video you recorded earlier if that's easier.

What our certified instructor reviews

  • Back alignment — keeping your back straight throughout the lift
  • Knee bend — bending your legs and lifting with them, not your back
  • Load closeness — keeping the load close to your body
  • Overall control — steady, unhurried movement without twisting

After you submit — review and approval

Once submitted, your recording goes to our certified instructor for review. You are notified of the result as soon as the review is complete. When your lift is approved, the Practical step turns green and your certificate is issued with your practical result shown on it.

If your technique needs more work, you'll receive an email inviting you to retake the practical assessment, with feedback on what to improve. Retakes are free — simply record and submit again from the same page.

Tips for passing first time

  • Film side-on so your back and knee positions are clearly visible
  • Lift slowly and deliberately — there is no time limit
  • Bend your knees, keep your back straight and hug the load close
  • Face the direction you're lifting towards — avoid twisting your spine
  • Make sure the whole movement, from standing to lowering, is in the recording

Add the practical to your certificate

Theory-only students can add the practical assessment for €10 and complete everything from the same course page.