Ask the HSE – Is there a maximum weight a person can lift during their work?

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) set no specific requirements as to the maximum weight a person can lift in their work. Instead, an ergonomic assessment based on a range of relevant factors is used to determine the risk of injury and point the way to remedial action.

• The Regulations establish a clear hierarchy of control measures:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable, for example redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or automating or mechanising the process.

• Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.

• Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable. Where possible, provide mechanical assistance, for example a sack trolley or hoist. Where this is not reasonably practicable, consider ways of changing the task, the load and working environment.

Modern medical and scientific opinion stresses the importance of an ergonomic approach to remove or reduce the risk of manual handling injury. Ergonomics is sometimes described as ‘fitting the job to the person, rather than the person to the job’. The ergonomic approach looks at manual handling as a whole. It takes into account a range of relevant factors, including the nature of the task, the load, the working environment, individual capability and other factors such as the use of protective clothing. It also requires worker participation.

Each of these categories may influence the others and none of them can be considered on their own. However, to carry out an assessment in a structured way it is often helpful to begin by breaking the operations down into separate, more manageable items.

HSE have produced the manual handling assessment chart (MAC) to assist employers with manual handling assessments. While the MAC is not appropriate for some manual handling operations, for example those that involve pushing or pulling, and does not comprise a full risk assessment, employers may nevertheless find it useful in identifying high-risk manual handling operations and to help them complete their risk assessments.

To find out more: www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/index.htm

HSE INFOLINE
Calls about any aspect of health and safety law can be directed to the Health and Safety Executive’s Infoline 8am to 6pm weekdays on 0845
345 0055. Calls are charged.