Manual handling injuries account for one in three workplace accidents in the UK. According to HSE's 2024/25 statistics, 510,000 workers are suffering from musculoskeletal disorders — many of them in trades where lifting, carrying and pushing are simply part of the job.
If you employ people who regularly lift, lower, push, pull or carry loads, you have a legal duty under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) to assess and reduce the risks. The TILE framework is the HSE's recommended tool for doing exactly that — and it is simpler than most people expect.
This guide walks through what the law requires, how TILE works in practice, and a worked example from the trades.
What the Law Requires
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR), amended in 2002, apply to any workplace where employees carry out manual handling operations. The duty on employers is clear and follows a three-step hierarchy:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling operations where reasonably practicable — can a mechanical aid be used? Can the task be redesigned?
- Assess any hazardous manual handling that cannot be avoided — this is where TILE comes in.
- Reduce the risk of injury as far as reasonably practicable — through controls, training, equipment or task redesign.
The Regulations define manual handling as "any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force." That includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving — which means almost every trade in existence is covered.
Failure to comply is not just an HSE enforcement issue. Manual handling injuries result in costly civil claims, lost working time and — at the serious end — RIDDOR reportable incidents. Getting this right protects your workers and your business.
What Is the TILE Framework?
TILE stands for Task, Individual, Load, Environment. It is a structured way of examining a manual handling operation to identify where risks lie and what controls are needed.
T — Task
What does the activity involve? Ask:
- Does the task involve twisting, stooping or reaching upward?
- Is there a large vertical movement — picking up from floor level or placing items above shoulder height?
- Does the load need to be carried over a long distance?
- Is the handling repetitive, or does it happen under time pressure?
- Is there sufficient rest between handling tasks?
The task element looks at the movement itself, not the object being moved. A 10kg toolbox carried 200 metres is a very different risk to the same box moved one metre between two workbenches.
I — Individual
Who is doing the work? Ask:
- Does the task require an unusual level of physical capability?
- Is the worker pregnant, or do they have a pre-existing health condition — particularly back or musculoskeletal issues?
- Are they new to the job and still building strength and technique?
- Have they received adequate training?
The regulations recognise that individuals differ. A new apprentice and an experienced tradesperson can face very different risk profiles even when performing the same task.
L — Load
What is being moved? Ask:
- How heavy is it? HSE guidance suggests filter weights of 25kg for men and 16kg for women at optimum grip height — but these are guidelines, not safe limits. Context matters.
- Is the load bulky or difficult to grip?
- Are the contents likely to shift during handling?
- Is the load sharp, hot or otherwise hazardous to touch?
- Can the load be split into smaller, lighter units?
A heavy boiler casing with no decent handholds is a very different proposition to a bag of copper fittings.
E — Environment
Where is the work taking place? Ask:
- Is the floor uneven, wet, slippery or cluttered?
- Is there enough space to adopt a safe posture?
- Are there changes in floor level — steps, kerbs, ramps?
- Is the lighting adequate?
- Are there extreme temperatures that might affect grip, concentration or stamina?
Environment is often overlooked because it feels outside your control. But on many trade jobs, it is exactly where the risk lies — a cramped plant room, a wet roof pitch, a basement with three steps down.
A Worked Example: Plumber Installing a Combi Boiler
Here is a practical TILE assessment for a plumber lifting and positioning a combi boiler in a domestic property.
Scenario: A plumber working alone needs to lift a wall-hung combi boiler (approximately 35kg in its packaging) from a van, carry it to a first-floor utility room, and lift it into position on a bracket approximately 1.5 metres from the floor.
Task: Multiple lifts and carries — from van to front door, up stairs, and overhead into bracket position. The overhead lift is particularly high-risk due to the weight and height involved.
Individual: A sole trader working alone. No pre-existing back conditions. Has manual handling training. However, 35kg exceeds HSE's guideline weight even for a fit adult working at waist height, and the overhead element takes it well above what is manageable safely without assistance.
Load: 35kg in original packaging — bulky, with limited handholds. The internal unit may shift during movement. No wheels or handles on the packaging.
Environment: Narrow staircase with a turn at the landing. Utility room is approximately 2m x 2m with limited space to manoeuvre. Floor is tiled and could be slippery.
Controls identified:
- Arrange for a second person to assist with the carry and lift
- Use a sack truck to move from van to property entrance
- Remove packaging before attempting the staircase to reduce bulk
- Use a boiler lift kit or wall-mounted jig for the final overhead positioning
- If working alone on a routine basis, specify a maximum solo lift weight in the safe system of work and always pre-arrange assistance for larger units
This is a simple, proportionate assessment. It does not need to be lengthy — it needs to be honest about the real risks.
When Must You Carry Out a Manual Handling Risk Assessment?
You must assess manual handling operations when:
- The handling operation involves a significant risk of injury
- You cannot avoid the manual handling operation entirely
- You are employing someone new whose capabilities you are not yet certain of
- Working practices change (new tasks, new premises, new equipment)
- Someone has been injured during manual handling
The key trigger is significant risk. HSE acknowledges that not every routine handling task requires a written assessment. A plumber picking up a single copper elbow fitting does not need the same level of documentation as a roofer carrying materials up a ladder all day. Apply proportionate judgement — but document your thinking where risks are significant.
Records: What to Keep and How Long
There is no specific record-retention period set out in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations themselves. However:
- Written assessments must be made where there is a significant risk and the employer has five or more employees
- The Limitation Act 1980 means personal injury claims can be brought up to three years after an incident — so keeping records for at least three years after any handling-related incident is essential
- Best practice for employers in the trades is to retain manual handling risk assessments for the duration of employment, plus a minimum of three years after the worker leaves
- For musculoskeletal conditions that develop gradually over time, keeping records for ten years is a reasonable precaution
Keep records simple: the assessment itself, the controls identified, who reviewed it and when it was last updated. A one-page document per key task type is sufficient for most trade businesses.
What Next?
If your business involves regular lifting and carrying — whether that is heating engineers, roofers, kitchen fitters or painters — a TILE assessment for your high-risk manual handling tasks is a legal requirement, not optional paperwork.
At SafeCompli, I work with trade businesses to build practical, proportionate health and safety documents — including manual handling risk assessments that reflect the work your people actually do, not generic templates written for a warehouse.
If you need help getting your manual handling documentation in order, visit www.safecompli.co.uk or get in touch directly.