You don't need to be shifting heavy machinery to hurt yourself — a poorly handled box or an awkward reach repeated all day does plenty of damage. This guide keeps it simple: how to check a lift, how to do it safely, and what your employer owes you.
The slow injury nobody notices
Around a third of workplace injuries in Ireland come from manual handling, and most build up gradually. The worker rarely points to one bad lift — it's hundreds of ordinary ones.
That's good news, really: small changes to how you lift add up to a big difference over a career.
Check it with TILE
TILE is a quick four-point check before any lift — Task, Individual, Load, Environment. Tap each one to see what it covers.
The job itself
Twisting, reaching, repetition, carrying distance and how often the lift is repeated all push up the risk.
The injuries to watch for
Handling injuries tend to land in a few familiar places. Knowing them helps you ease off at the right moments.
Back & spine
Strains, slipped discs and long-term lower-back damage from poor lifting posture.
Shoulders & arms
Tears and overuse injuries from reaching, carrying and repeated handling.
Crush & trap
Hands, fingers and feet caught by dropped or shifting loads.
Too heavy or too awkward? Don't tough it out. Get a hand, break the load down, or grab a trolley.
How to lift safely
Safe lifting is just a habit — four steps, every time:
Plan the lift
Check the load, the route and where it's going before you touch it. Clear obstructions.
Position & grip
Feet apart, close to the load, bend the knees not the back, get a secure grip.
Lift smoothly
Lead with the head, keep the load close, straighten the legs — no jerking or twisting.
Move & set down
Turn with your feet, keep it close, and lower it under control, knees bent.
What the law says
Under the Manual Handling of Loads provisions of the General Application Regulations 2007employers must avoid hazardous manual handling where they can, assess what's left and reduce the risk. In practice that means:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable
- Assess the risk where it can't be avoided
- Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonable
- Give workers information and training on safe handling