Manual Handling

Safety moving and lifting heavy items.

Safety moving and lifting heavy items. Avoid slips, trips and falls.

Modules

• 1

  Introduction to Manual Handling and Injury Causes

  Manual handling encompasses any transporting or supporting of a load by bodily force, including lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Workplace injuries often stem from awkward postures, heavy or unstable loads, and poorly planned handling activities. Under UK health and safety principles, risk assessments must always take priority because there is no universal safe lifting weight.

• 2

  The TILEO Risk Check and Hierarchy of Control

  The TILEO memory aid helps workers evaluate handling tasks across five core areas: Task, Individual, Load, Environment, and Other factors. When hazards are identified, employers and employees must follow the hierarchy of control. Hazardous handling should be avoided where reasonably practicable, assessed thoroughly, and reduced through effective controls.

• 3

  Planning and Practical Safer Handling Techniques

  Safe manual handling requires systematic planning before any lift and controlled movement execution. Modern workplace training rejects rigid lifting rules in favor of adaptable, safer movement principles. Key actions include establishing a stable base, keeping loads close, lifting smoothly with hips and legs, and turning with the feet rather than twisting.

• 4

  Equipment, Team Handling, and Individual Factors

  Mechanical aids such as trolleys, sack trucks, and hoists significantly reduce handling risks when inspected and used within their capacity. While team handling can help with bulky loads, it requires clear communication and planning and does not automatically make a task safe. Workplace risk assessments must also give additional consideration to vulnerable individuals.

• 5

  Incident Management, Reporting, and Workplace Safety

  Prompt reporting of injuries, near misses, and defective equipment is essential to prevent future workplace harm. Workers must stop tasks immediately if pain occurs and never attempt to work through significant physical strain. Ongoing workplace safety requires reviewing risk assessments and maintaining accurate training and incident records.