These guidlines for assessing the risk of injury in manual handling set out approximate boundaries within which handling operations are unlikely to create risk of injury. THESE ARE NOT WEIGHT OR FORCE LIMITS and may be exceeded or reduced where a more detailed assessment of a particular task indicates that this is appropriate.
The figures are based on the following:
- The handler is standing or crouching in a stable body position with the back substantially upright
- The trunk is not twisted during the operation
- Both hands are used to grasp the load
- The hands are not more than shoulder width apart
- The load is positioned centrally in front of the body and is itself reasonably symmetrical
- The load is stable and readily grasped
- The work area, environment (heat, cold, wet, floor condition) nor any protective clothing restricts the handler’s posture
Where practical conditions prevent these conditions being met in full, the guidelines may need to be reduced. The guidelines can be applied to repetitive handling provided the pace of work is not forced and adequate pauses for rest are possible.
If an operation is repetitive and lies close to a guideline boundary, more detailed assessment may be necessary especially if the interval between operations is less than about one minute, or the operations continue for more than about an hour.
Lifting and Lowering
The guidelines for lifting and lowering take into consideration not only the weight of the load but also its vertical and horizontal position during the handling operation.
If the hands enter more than one box during the operation, the smallest weight figure should be used. An intermediate figure may be chosen where the hands are close to the boundary.
Carrying
It is assumed that the load is held against the body and is carried no further than about 10m without resting. Over longer distances the guidelines may need to be reduced.
Where the load can be carried securely on the shoulder, a more detailed assessment may show that it is safe to exceed the guideline figure.
Pushing and Pulling
These guidelines apply whether the load is slid, rolled or supported on wheels. The figure for starting or stopping the load is a force of about 250 Newtons (25kg). The guideline figure for keeping the load in motion is a force of about 100 Newtons. It is assumed that the force is applied with the hands between knuckle and shoulder height - if not, the guideline figures may need to be reduced.
Handling While Seated
If handling beyond the indicated box zone is unavoidable, a more detailed assessment should be made.