Manual Handling Risk Assessment (UK)

Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling cause more than a third of workplace injuries reported each year, almost all of them to the back. A manual handling risk assessment is how you meet the law and cut those injuries, and it is simpler than most people expect once you know the four things to look at.

What the law requires

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 set a clear order of priority. First avoid hazardous manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable, for example by delivering materials closer to the point of use or using a trolley. Where handling cannot be avoided, assess it. Then reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable. The duty applies to any task involving lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying by hand or bodily force.

The TILE factors

A manual handling assessment looks at four things, remembered as TILE:

1. Task. Does it involve twisting, stooping, reaching up, long distances, or repetitive movement without rest?
2. Individual. Does it call for unusual strength, put those who are pregnant or young at more risk, or need special training?
3. Load. Is it heavy, bulky, hard to grip, unstable, or sharp?
4. Environment. Are there space constraints, uneven or slippery floors, steps, poor lighting, or hot and cold conditions?

The HSE MAC tool

For heavier or repetitive lifting the HSE provides the Manual handling Assessment Charts, the MAC tool, which scores each factor from green to red so you can target the worst problems first. It is a useful aid for more demanding tasks, but a straightforward TILE assessment recorded on a form is enough for most jobs.

A worked example

Take two operatives unloading bagged plaster from a van to a first floor flat. Task: repeated carrying up stairs with twisting. Load: 25 kg bags, awkward to grip. Individual: no particular concerns, both trained. Environment: a tight stairwell. Controls: order smaller 12.5 kg bags, use a sack truck to the foot of the stairs, split the carry, and plan rest between runs. Recorded on one sheet, that is a suitable and sufficient assessment.

Record it the simple way

Our risk assessment template gives you a format that covers the TILE factors and the controls against them, ready to adapt to the specific lift. If you are new to the paperwork, our guide to writing a risk assessment walks through the five steps first.