When considering tile manual handling risks, TILE helps you to conduct a manual handling risk assessment and remove or significantly lower any probable risks or threats that may impact the health and safety of any individuals related to the manual handling activity in the workplace.
Finally, understanding each possible risk of the manual handling activity can help save the employer and the employee from illnesses and injuries.
T Stands for Task
TASK is the first factor in TILE. You should assess the nature of the task that is about to take place. It is advised to reduce the risk facets as much as possible or reanalyse the task. These are some factors related to TASK. Ask yourself, does your work involve any of the following?
- Lifting.
- Pushing or pulling.
- Arranging the load.
- Twisting, stooping or bending.
- Repetitive activities.
- Sudden movement.
- Inadequate rest period.
- Team handling.
If most of your responses are positive or YES, then the risk is involved because of the TASK. You need to consider the task and any betterment that can be made.
I Stands for Individual
The second factor is the Individual. It involves considering the individual or person who will carry out the tile manual handling task. This is the person who will be doing the manual handling. Their strength, abilities, training, and experience can affect them. Questions regarding INDIVIDUAL-
- Is the individual pregnant?
- Does manual handling require a specific level of strength?
- Does the movement need a person of a certain height?
- Does the Individual have a health issue?
- Have they been instructed in safe manual handling and lifting techniques?
- Do they know how to handle the load perfectly?
- Is there someone more suitable?
Each tile manual handling activity is somehow different. For example, a person may be capable of lifting and carrying in normal circumstances but not fit in a different environment. So, you should consider if there is anything exceptional or unusual.
L Stands for Load
Load is the third consideration in TILE. Load is the object or person that is being handled or transferred. In addition, the Load itself can have a significant impact on the risk level of the tile manual handling activity. Therefore, it is crucial to assess factors like the size, shape, weight or nature of the Load and how it might affect health and safety.
- Is the load heavy?
- Is the load shaky?
- Is the load dangerous?
- Does it have sharp borders?
- Is the weight evenly dispersed?
- Is it bulky or hard to learn?
- Is the load very hot or cold?
- Will the load reduce visibility?
Getting positive answers defines a problem or consideration with the Load. Workers must carry out the load carefully. Moreover, if the Load can be separated or adjusted to make it easier to control, this can also be an excellent way to lower risk. Otherwise, you could consider robotic aids or a team lift for bulky or heavy loads.
E Stands for Environment
The last factor to consider in TILE is the environment. Where tile manual handling will take place can also influence the safety of manual handling processes because it needs additional considerations such as wind, rain, ice, and temperature. In addition, these factors can impact the manual handling preplan. Questions to answer here are –
- Is the floor slippery?
- Is the ground stable?
- Is the ground uneven?
- Is there sufficient ventilation?
- Are there extremes of temperature?
- Is the environment clammy?
- Is the lighting inadequate?
- Are there strong winds?
Indeed, planning your path according to the environment can help you safely transport the load without endangering the health and safety of anyone engaged.
TILEO Explained
TILEO is a slightly broader term with the addition of ‘O – Other Factors.’ TILEO implies Task, Individual, Load Environment and Other Factors. Yet, TILEO does not express a different meaning from TILE. Both hold the same purpose. For example, it can be the need for and impact of extra equipment required for a task.
O stands for OTHER FACTORS.
Other factors include elements or factors that fall outside the four steps for tile manual handling but may be related to the task you are dealing with. When considering Other Factors, you should consider the following:
- Is the load in a dangerous or unsafe environment requiring gear such as masks, PPE, or other specialised clothing?
- Does this specialised clothing cause any trouble to the individual? Such as PPE hindering the movement or visibility of the individual?
- What is the proper gear for the task? Is there a need for mechanical lifting support, such as trolleys or jacks?
Besides, keeping an eye on the Other factors can help in completing the task more effectively and efficiently. Moreover, it can reduce risks by a significant margin.
LITE Explained
LITE is another tile manual handling acronym of TILE. LITE is a rearrangement of the same critical factors as TILE and stands for Load, Individual, Task and Environment. Both terms have the same meaning, but the letters are in different order.
Indeed, LITE and TILE are both acceptable terms for manual handling – depending on which you find most comfortable and easy to remember. LITE denotes Load, Individual, Task and Environment. In addition, It aims to assist you in finishing your manual handling risk assessment. The LITE acronym stands for
L – Load. It also means the object’s size, shape, surface type and weight.
I – Individual. The strength of the individual executing the manual handling activity.
T – Task. Different manual handling activities include lifting or carrying, pushing, pulling, etc.
E – Environment. The area where the object is being moved.
It doesn’t matter whether employees use TILE or LITE in tile manual handling risk assessment as long as they assess each of the four critical stages for manual handling to lower the risk of injury.
What Does TILE Stand for When Considering Manual Handling Hazards?
TILE is a commonly used acronym for Task, individual, load and environment. People related to a task need to assess these four factors before executing a tile manual handling job. In addition, the term states that risk assessments should be done before employees participate in manual handling.
Moreover, TILE helps to remember the numerous areas that employees and employers should evaluate before determining whether a task is secure and safe to carry out. TILE is related to the four essential areas of manual handling:
- Firstly, Task – The nature of the manual handling task.
- Secondly, Individual – The abilities of the group or individual who are completing the manual handling task.
- Thirdly, Load – The load’s characteristics and facts that need to be handled.
- Finally, Environment – The layout and geography of the environment where the manual handling task is executed.
Therefore, employers and employees can utilise TILE to evaluate a task’s risk or decide on the safest & secure way to handle a load.
What is Safe Manual Handling?
Manual handling covers different activities, including pulling and carrying, lifting, lowering, and pushing. If employees do not carry out these tasks appropriately, they endanger themselves. As a result, there is a risk of injury. In addition, tile manual handling causes over one-third of all workplace risks and damages.
These contain work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as pain and injuries to legs and joints, arms and repetitive strain injuries of various types.
In other words, safe manual handling means that the rate of injury & danger is comparably lower. Manual handling is related to various activities, including lifting, restraining, throwing and carrying, pushing, pulling, and holding.