RAMS — Manual handling of materials on site

What you need to know

The plain-English guidance that comes with this document.

• The best lift is the one you don't do. The law (Manual Handling Operations Regulations) says avoid hazardous handling where reasonably practicable first, then reduce the risk. On site that means smart ordering (smaller bags, split packs), getting deliveries placed where they're needed, and using barrows, trucks and telehandlers — not just "lift with your knees".
• Think TILE. Task, Individual, Load, Environment — a quick mental check before a heavy lift: how far and how awkward, who's lifting, how heavy/graspable, and what's the ground and route like. It catches the lift that's about to hurt someone.
• Team-lift with one voice. For heavy or long loads, two people and one person calling "ready, lift" beats two people guessing. Agree the move first.
• Cumulative strain is the quiet injury. It's often not one big lift but the hundredth bag of the day. Rotate heavy repetitive work, take breaks, and use aids for the repetitive stuff.
• Starting point — get it signed off. Edit for your job and have a competent person review it. It pairs with your general manual handling assessment for anything unusually heavy or awkward.