Manual Handling Risk Assessment

A detailed manual handling assessment structured around TILE(O): the Task, the Individual, the Load, the Environment and Other factors. It records the level of risk for each factor, the overall risk and the actions you will take to reduce it.

• For any lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling or holding task that cannot be avoided and is not trivially low risk
• When the general risk assessment flags manual handling as significant
• After a back or musculoskeletal injury, or when tasks, loads or staff change

• Watch the task being done and talk to the people who do it
• Answer each question and rate the risk for each factor as low, medium or high
• Use HSE’s MAC or RAPP tools for detailed scoring of lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling
• Record practical improvements and review the assessment once they are in place