What does TILE stand for in relation to manual handling risk assessments?

Thank you.

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Vanda,

Thank you for your question.

TILEO is an acronym associated with manual handling and stands for:

Task

Individual

Load

Environment

Other factors

The manual handling acronym can be used to assess any manual handling activity at work.

The Health and Safety Executive website has a publication which you can freely download from their website.

The publication is called Health and Safety in a care home and you can find it here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg220.pdf

So it is as simple as that TILE or TILEO is an acronym for an assessment for manual handling.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes,

Sheila

3 FAQs

Q: Does a TILE risk assessment need to be written down?

A: Yes. While the law does not specify a particular format, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to record significant findings from risk assessments. In a care setting this is especially important because written TILE assessments provide evidence for CQC inspectors that you have a systematic approach to managing moving and handling risks. They also protect your organisation legally in the event of a staff injury or complaint. Assessments should be stored accessibly, reviewed regularly, and updated whenever a service user’s needs change.

Q: What happens if a care worker is injured during manual handling and no TILE assessment was in place?

A: The absence of a TILE risk assessment would significantly strengthen any legal claim brought against the employer. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty to assess and reduce manual handling risks so far as is reasonably practicable. If an injury occurs and no assessment was carried out or documented, the employer is likely to be found in breach of that duty. CQC may also take regulatory action if a pattern of poor manual handling governance is identified during inspection. Having current, documented TILE assessments for every relevant activity is one of the most straightforward ways a care provider can demonstrate safe practice.

Q: How does TILE connect to CQC’s Safe key question?

A: CQC’s Safe key question looks at whether people are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and manual handling is a direct part of that assessment. Inspectors will want to see that staff are trained in safe moving and handling techniques, that TILE risk assessments exist for service users who require physical assistance, and that assessments are reviewed and acted upon. Services rated Requires Improvement or Inadequate on Safe frequently have gaps in manual handling documentation or evidence of poor practice in this area. Keeping your TILE assessments current, accessible, and embedded in your care records is a practical step toward demonstrating a safe, well-governed service.

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