Manual handling for healthcare professionals

Environmental factors

This resource will help you to understand how to assess the environments for handling tasks. Environment is what the 'E' stands for in the TILE risk assessment and covers all aspects of the environment where you will carry out the task which includes assessing the following:

• Where you are carrying out the task.
• What equipment is available.
• Ensuring you are using the correct equipment for the load.
• Checking the equipment is in good working order.

The term 'manual handling' refers to moving objects and 'moving and handling' when moving and handling people and referencing legislation. When moving and handling people, several different terms can be used such as 'patient', 'service user', 'client', 'customer' or 'resident'. The term 'patient' is used as a reference for the person being handled.