Guidance · Manual Handling 1992

Manual handling, lift smarter

Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling cause a huge share of workplace injuries, especially to backs. Most of them are avoidable with a little planning.

steps: avoid, assess, reduce
3
steps: avoid, assess, reduce
men's guideline, close at waist height
25kg
men's guideline, close at waist height
the four things to check
TILE
the four things to check
01

The law

“Each employer shall (a) so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured ...”
Regulation 4(1)Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

In plain EnglishFirst, see if you can avoid the lift altogether. If you can't, assess it and make it as safe as you reasonably can.

02

Guideline weights

How much is too much depends on where the load is held. Tap a zone and switch between close and extended.

Shoulder to full heightElbow to shoulderKnuckle to elbowMid lower leg to knuckleFloor to mid lower leg25 kg
Knuckle to elbow
25 kg

Tap a zone on the figure. These are HSE's guideline weights: a quick filter, not a safe limit. Lifting more, often, twisting or carrying far needs a full assessment.

03

The TILE check

Four things to look at for any lift. Tap each card.

04

Reducing the risk

  • Use trolleys, hoists, pallet trucks or conveyors
  • Split loads into smaller ones
  • Store heavy items at waist height
  • Plan the route and clear it first
  • Use team lifts for awkward loads
  • Train people in good lifting technique
Technique isn't the whole answer
Training people to lift properly helps, but changing the task, the load or the layout does far more.
05

In a warehouse

Lifting is only one risk. Tap the numbers to see the rest.

EXIT12345678910
Warehouse and logistics
Explored 0 of 10
1
Quick fix
3
Often missed
6
Could be serious
1

Racking damage

Could be serious

A small knock can badly weaken an upright. Report it straight away, and get an expert inspection at least yearly.

06

Quick check

Quick check · 1 of 3

What's the first step with any risky lift?

07

How we help

As your competent person, this is part of your package or available as an add-on.

Manual handling assessments

We assess your real lifts and suggest practical changes.

Layout reviews

On a site visit we look at storage, routes and equipment.

Training

Practical manual handling training for your team, as an add-on.

Kept current

We review assessments when tasks, loads or people change.

More guidance
COSHHHazardous substances, safety data sheets and exposure control.Risk assessmentThe five steps, rating risk, and controls that work.Fire safetyFire risk assessment and the responsible person's duties.Reporting accidentsIs it reportable under RIDDOR? Find out in a few clicks.CDM 2015Who does what on construction work, and when to notify HSE.Working at heightAvoid, prevent, minimise, and getting ladders right.

Guidance reviewed October 2026. A plain-English summary of the law in England, Scotland and Wales, not legal advice. Always check the full text on legislation.gov.uk and the latest HSE guidance.

Lots of lifting in your business?

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