Safe Lifting and Manual Handling Course 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   How does BC's OHS Regulation describe a musculoskeletal injury (MSI)?

   • AA disorder of the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves or soft tissue
   • BAn illness caused by breathing in dust, fumes or other airborne particles
   • CA cut or scrape caused by a sharp edge on a box, a pallet or a tool
   • DA burn to the skin caused by touching a hot surface or a chemical
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A disorder of the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves or soft tissue

   Section 4.46 defines an MSI as an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue.

2. Question 2 of 25

   According to CCOHS, what contributes most to manual handling injuries?

   • ARepetition
   • BTaking rest breaks
   • CWearing safety boots
   • DUsing a hand truck
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Repetition

   CCOHS says repetition contributes most to injuries. Small efforts repeated many times add up.

3. Question 3 of 25

   CCOHS says that for most workers, lifting loads over what weight leads to more and worse back injuries?

   • A100 kg
   • B20 kg
   • C50 kg
   • D5 kg
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 20 kg

   CCOHS states that lifting loads over 20 kg results in an increased number and severity of back injuries for most workers.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Does Alberta's ergonomics bulletin give one safe weight limit for every worker and task?

   • AYes, 20 kg for every lift at work
   • BYes, 50 kg for a worker who wears a back belt
   • CNo, there is no specific safe weight limit
   • DYes, 25 kg in every workplace
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, there is no specific safe weight limit

   Alberta's bulletin states there is no specific safe weight limit; the task, the load and the worker all matter.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What is the safest height range to lift from, according to CCOHS?

   • AAbove shoulder height, at arm's length
   • BFrom the floor up to above your head
   • CBetween knee and waist height
   • DBelow knee height, close to the floor
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Between knee and waist height

   CCOHS says the preferred lifting range is between knee and waist height. Lifting above or below it is more hazardous.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Why should you keep a load close to your body?

   • AHolding it far out adds stress to the back
   • BIt keeps the load hidden from coworkers
   • CIt lets you twist your body around more quickly
   • DIt makes the load weigh less on a scale
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Holding it far out adds stress to the back

   CCOHS explains that a load held far from the body puts more stress on the back.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How can cold temperatures affect manual handling?

   • AThey reduce muscle and joint flexibility
   • BThey make bending and twisting safer
   • CThey have no effect if you wear gloves
   • DThey make loads lighter and easier to lift
   Show answer

   Answer: A. They reduce muscle and joint flexibility

   CCOHS says cold reduces muscle and joint flexibility, which makes injury more likely.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under BC's OHS Regulation, which factors must an employer consider when assessing MSI risk?

   • AOnly the weight printed on the side of the box
   • BOnly how many workers are on each shift
   • COnly whether workers have complained before
   • DForce, repetition, duration and work postures
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Force, repetition, duration and work postures

   Section 4.49 lists physical demands such as force, repetition, duration and postures, plus layout, objects, environment and work organization.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Under BC's OHS Regulation, how often must MSI controls at least be reviewed?

   • AAt least once every 5 years
   • BAt least once a year
   • COnly when a new manager starts
   • DOnly after a lost-time injury
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At least once a year

   Section 4.52 requires the employer to monitor MSI controls and review them at least annually.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When assessing MSI risk in BC, whom must the employer consult?

    • AOnly the workers' family doctors
    • BOnly outside engineering firms
    • COnly the company's insurance broker and its lawyer
    • DWorkers who have signs or symptoms of MSI
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Workers who have signs or symptoms of MSI

    Section 4.53 requires consulting the joint committee or worker representative, workers with signs or symptoms of MSI, and a sample of workers doing the job.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Under BC's MSI rules, when may PPE be used instead of engineering or administrative controls?

    • AWhenever PPE costs less to buy than other controls
    • BAlways, because PPE is preferred
    • COnly during night shifts
    • DOnly when those controls are not practicable
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only when those controls are not practicable

    Section 4.50(2) allows PPE as a substitute for engineering or administrative controls only when those controls are not practicable.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Under BC's OHS Regulation, what must a worker who may be exposed to MSI risk receive?

    • AA back belt to wear for the whole of every shift
    • BA medical exam before each task
    • CA written promise of a lighter job
    • DEducation in spotting the risks of their work
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Education in spotting the risks of their work

    Section 4.51 requires that workers who may be exposed to MSI risk are educated in risk identification, and trained in specific controls.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Alberta's bulletin says the employer must assess a manual handling task first. What does the assessment look at?

    • AThe load's weight, size and shape, and how often and how it is moved
    • BThe price of the load and the customer who ordered the delivery
    • CThe colour of the packaging and how far the load travelled to the site
    • DThe worker's height, weight and the time of day the task starts
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The load's weight, size and shape, and how often and how it is moved

    Alberta's bulletin says the assessment considers the weight, size and shape of the load, how often it will be moved and how it will be moved.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Your employer provides a dolly for moving heavy cases. What is the worker's duty?

    • AUse it only when feeling tired
    • BLift by hand if that is faster
    • CUse the equipment provided
    • DAsk permission before each use
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Use the equipment provided

    Alberta's bulletin says employers must provide equipment to move heavy or awkward loads whenever reasonably possible, and workers must use it.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Before lifting a heavy load by hand, what should you check first?

    • AWhether a dolly, hoist or cart is available
    • BWhether a coworker can time how fast you lift
    • CWhether the load can be thrown instead
    • DWhether the shift is nearly over
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Whether a dolly, hoist or cart is available

    CCOHS says to check first whether a mechanical aid such as a hoist, lift truck, dolly or wheelbarrow is available.

16. Question 16 of 25

    When moving a cart or hand truck, what does CCOHS advise?

    • APush it rather than pull it
    • BLift it over every bump
    • CPull it behind you while walking
    • DRide on it to save energy
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Push it rather than pull it

    CCOHS says to always push equipment such as carts rather than pull it.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How should you place your feet to lift a compact load such as a box?

    • AClose behind it, one foot beside it pointing ahead
    • BFeet wide apart, a full arm's length away from the box
    • CFeet together, standing well back from the box
    • DOne foot resting on top of the box to steady it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Close behind it, one foot beside it pointing ahead

    CCOHS says to straddle the load and stand close behind it, with your leading foot flat beside it, pointing the way you will go.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which muscles should do most of the work when you lift?

    • AYour arms and shoulders
    • BYour leg and thigh muscles
    • CYour neck and upper back
    • DYour lower back and waist muscles
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Your leg and thigh muscles

    CCOHS says to rise up using your thigh and leg muscles, not your back, keeping your back straight.

19. Question 19 of 25

    You need to put a box on a shelf beside you. How should you turn?

    • AMove your feet, without twisting your back
    • BSwing the box around with straight arms
    • CTurn fast so you hold the box for less time
    • DTwist at the waist while holding the box
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Move your feet, without twisting your back

    CCOHS says to avoid twisting and side bending while lifting, and to move off without twisting your body. Turn by moving your feet.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When lowering a compact load to the floor, how do you protect your fingers?

    • ATilt it and pull your fingers out before letting go
    • BDrop it from waist height so your hands stay well clear
    • CWear large bulky mitts to cushion your hands
    • DKeep your fingers under it until it lands
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tilt it and pull your fingers out before letting go

    CCOHS says to keep the load tilted and remove your fingers from under it before fully releasing it.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which clothing choice helps with safe manual handling?

    • AA loose coat with open flaps
    • BLarge bulky mitts for warmth
    • CSandals or open shoes, for comfort on long shifts
    • DSlip-resistant footwear and suitable gloves
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slip-resistant footwear and suitable gloves

    CCOHS recommends slip-resistant footwear and gloves suited to the material, and warns against loose items and bulky mitts that reduce grip.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How should people be chosen for a team lift?

    • APeople of similar height and strength
    • BOne strong person and several helpers
    • CThe tallest and the shortest, for balance
    • DWhoever is closest, whatever their size
    Show answer

    Answer: A. People of similar height and strength

    CCOHS says to select team members of similar height and strength.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What should a team agree on before a team lift?

    • AWhich member will skip the practice
    • BOne leader and a set of commands
    • CWho will carry the heaviest end alone
    • DHow fast to jerk the load upward
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One leader and a set of commands

    CCOHS says to assign one leader and agree on commands such as lift, walk, stop and down before starting, then practise.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Two workers can each lift 10 kg safely. Can they safely lift a 20 kg load together?

    • AYes, if they lift it very quickly
    • BNo, each would handle about two-thirds of it
    • CYes, their strength simply adds up when they team up
    • DYes, if they walk out of step
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, each would handle about two-thirds of it

    Alberta's bulletin explains that in a two-person lift each worker handles about two-thirds of the load, so 20 kg is too much for them.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Two workers carry a long pipe on their shoulders. How should they carry it?

    • ABoth on the same shoulder
    • BOn opposite shoulders so it crosses their bodies
    • COne on a shoulder and one at waist height
    • DEach on whichever shoulder feels best
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both on the same shoulder

    CCOHS says to carry a long load on the same shoulder, so both workers can step out of the way safely if it falls.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.