TilThermometer© – mapping severity and type of exposure to physical strain when handling patients

This case study highlights the development and implementation of the TilThermometer©, a Dutch risk assessment instrument commissioned by national social partners, designed to evaluate physical strain among health and social care (HeSCare) workers during patient handling activities.

 The TilThermometer© was developed alongside the Guidelines for Practice, a set of ergonomic, sector-specific standards for safe patient handling. It provides a practical, easy-to-use method for assessing and visualising physical workload at the individual, team, and organisational levels. The tool is widely used across Dutch healthcare facilities and has been recognised internationally through its inclusion in CEN ISO TR 12296.