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Subject: Lifting Weights At Work

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Roy

Newbie
Posts:6

19-03-2008 1:05 PM
Hi I am looking for any information regarding the maximum amount of weight a person can lift on their own. I am a shop steward at Next Distribution. and i have been approached to see if there are any guide lines to how much some body should lift espicially when picking up tubs or multi-packing plastic bags. Also should each item have a weight on so other people can see how heavy it is such as delivery drivers?

Chris

Apprentice
Posts:14

20-03-2008 2:47 PM
Hi there, There are specific regulations that deal with manual handling. the "Six Pack 1992 regulations", covers this subject. (the guide can be found and downloaded (in PDF format). It will tell you exactly how much both men and women can lift. Of course regulations are one thing, but correct posture, best techniques are another. You may want to find out have your staff been trained in manual handling. Bear in mind that manual handling is not just lifting it's pushing, pulling, twisting and bending. My advice is this, look at the quality of the training given, is it practical training? (or is it watching a 20 minute video, we know the type!!), is the training relevant to the actual products being pushed pulled or lifted? See if you can get to see just how much absent is caused by sprains, pulls ETC. This should help you to achieve better training. ask about team lifting for certain products and ask to risk assessments for procedures of lifting and carrying. there's a lot to take in here, if you need any further assistance please ask cheers Chris (hope this helps)

Hugh

Newbie
Posts:8

24-03-2008 10:32 AM
Good to hear from you again Chris - sound advice as usual. Roy, the Usdaw guide to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations can be found at [www.usdaw.org.uk] (Copy and paste the link into the Address box on your Internet provider). It includes an explanation of the guidance weights in the HSE guide to the regulations. Note these are not maximum weights that can be lifted but show when there is likely to be a risk of injury and thus when risk assessments are needed. Contact me direct if you want a paper copy. The guidance weights assume lifting an easily held box in a safe environment and vary between 25kg for a man lifting at waist height close to the body to 3kg for a woman lifting at shoulder height away from the body. The other useful advice on weights is in the HSE Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC). The MAC allows you to score lifting tasks for frequency/weight and other risk factors according to a traffic light system. More details can be found on the HSE website - [www.hse.gov.uk] Again please contact us if you need help using the MAC. Hugh

Roy

Newbie
Posts:6

27-03-2008 12:57 PM
Hello, Thanks for your help Chris & Hugh. I've downloaded the "six pack" guidance document but i couldn't find the table of weights. Is there another document i should be looking for? regards Roy

Apprentice
Posts:10

27-03-2008 12:59 PM
Hi This is another case where any figures quoted are only "guidelines"! This of course allows managers to persuade staff to overreach themselves and trust that if an injury occurs, the fact that it is only a guideline will let them wriggle out of taking blame probably saying that it was up to the individual to assess the job before going ahead with it. Time and time again, the big bosses make the Gov't back down where making firm rules are concerned. They usually say that each job is different and that it would cost to much to risk assess evrything. perhaps this is something that the union movement as a whole should persue at national level?

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