The aim of the project was to educate nursing staff on patient handling techniques to prevent low back pain. Within the framework of a multidisciplinary preventive intervention, a pre-post study design was implemented in a hospital. One hundred and forty nurses and healthcare assistants attended a two-hour lesson and a three-hour practical training session; 48 nurses attended a train-the-trainer programme that was comprised of three-hour classes, two-hour lessons on communication techniques and four hours of practical training. Improvements were tested using questionnaires and direct observations. A statistically significant improvement was noted in questionnaire scores (p<0.001) and handling techniques (p<0.001); use of equipment and low back symptoms improved remarkably. The train-the-trainer programme improved knowledge, communication skills and ability to evaluate manual handling techniques; this allowed the education programme in patient-handling techniques to be extended to all healthcare workers. This approach was effective in increasing the knowledge, practical abilities and communication skills of the workforce. It also allowed a network of internal trainer nurses to be set up, who enabled the implementation of safer and healthier working techniques in nursing staff.