ONE POINT LESSON OPL – HSE 009

WEEKLY HSE BULLETIN Date: 202211 – Rev.0

Incident Prepared by: Approved by:
CATEGORY Basic Knowledge Improvement Good Practise
Review PMO HSE BM1 R. Nanni

Internal
Manual Handling
Foreword
No matter the job or industry, manual handling is a task that almost everyone will
carry out at some point in their working life. However big or small the task, the
consequences of unsafe manual handling can be very severe and it is vitally
important that health and safety guidance is followed at all times. Along with manual
handling weight limit guidance and appropriate lifting techniques, a key part of safe
manual handling is reducing or removing risk as much as possible before a task is
carried out. Using TILE is one way to ensure that every task is as safe as possible,
acting as a reminder for all the factors that should be considered before manual
handling takes place.

What is manual handling?

Manual handling refers to any physical activity that involves moving or supporting a load with your body or hands.
This can involve lifting, pushing, lowering, carrying, pulling or transporting a load. Legal manual handling guidelines
suggest that the maximum safe lifting weight for women is 16kg, and the maximum safe lifting weight for men is 23kg.
These limits change depending on the size of the object and where and how it is being moved however, and it is the
responsibility of an employer to check that their staff know these limits and do not exceed them.
Along with manual handling lifting limits, to minimise the risk of injury from manual handling there are health and
safety guidelines for lifting at work that outline the proper techniques for handling, carrying, lowering or lifting heavy
loads.

What does TILE stand for?

TILE is a commonly used acronym that stands for task, individual, load and environment; four factors that should be
taken into account before performing a manual handling job. The legislation states that risk assessments should be
completed before employees have to partake in manual handling, and this acronym helps to remember the different
areas that need to be considered before deciding whether a task is safe to carry out.
TILE covers the four key areas of manual handling:
 Task - the nature of the manual handling task
 Individual - the abilities of the individual or group of people who are completing the manual handling task
 Load - the characteristics of the load that needs to be handled
 Environment - the layout and terrain of the environment in which the manual handling task is performed
Each of these factors must be carefully considered before a manual handling task is carried out, and TILE can be
used by both employers and employees who are evaluating the risk a task poses or deciding on the safest way to
handle a load.
The main piece of legislation that is associated with manual handling is the Manual Handling Operations
Regulations (MHOR), which were first implemented in 1992 and amended in 2002. These regulations outline the
duty that employers and employees have when manual handling and give guidance for the best ways to minimise or
remove risk.

Why is TILE important?

21% of non-fatal injuries that happen in the workplace are caused by manual handling tasks that go wrong, along
with manual handling being the biggest cause of musculoskeletal disorder suffered by workers. Using TILE to reduce
the risks associated with manual handling can help to bring both of these statistics down and ensure that manual
handling tasks are carried out safely at all times.
TILE in manual handling is also very important because employers have a legal obligation to protect their workers
who are involved in manual handling, and following risk assessment guidance is a part of this. Ensuring that
employees are aware of TILE and the correct manual handling techniques will reduce risk in the workplace and
prevent injuries amongst staff.

Discussion points
 What is the risks of Manual Handling at worksite?
 How can you protect yourself from manual handling risks?

One Team, One Purpose, One Vision, One Strategy

PMO-HSE-BM1-OPL-01 Page 1 of 1

Rev.0 uncontrolled when printed