What is the maximum weight limit I can lift at work? (2024)

There is nolegalmaximum weight to lift at work. There are, however, guidelines which set out the recommended safe maximum weight for lifting at work.

Manual Handling Guidelines for Maximum Weight Limit at Work

Manual Handling Guidelines set out recommended safe lifting limits for men and women.

The recommended maximum weight limit should be adjusted depending on how the load is being lifted, how close to the body the weight is held, and how high or how low the weight is lifted.

The guidelines suggest that the maximum weight men should lift at work is 25kg. This relates to loads held close to the body at around waist height. The recommended maximum weight is reduced to 5kg for loads being held at arms length or above shoulder height.

Lifting a weight below the maximum limit does not always make the load ‘safe’

The weight of the load is not the only factor to be taken into account. There are a number of factors to take into account when assessing whether a load is ‘safe’ for an employee to lift at work.

The guidelines assume that the manual handling and lifting is taking place in reasonable working conditions. It is also assumed that the load is easy to hold and easily grasped with both hands. The guidance is also based on the assumption that the weight is being lifted by a reasonably fit, well-trained individual.

The weight of a load may need to be reduced below the maximum guideline weights for various factors

These factors include:

any lifting which involves twisting or bending
if the manual handling is being carried out in a confined space
or if the lifting activity is being repeated.

There are therefore a number of factors to assess when considering whether the load a person lifts at work is ‘safe’.

Employers should carry out a manual handling risk assessment to assess any manual handling or lifting that an employee is required to do as part of their work.

Action to take if your employer asks you to lift more than the maximum recommended weight

Many workers worry that lifting heavy weights could cause an injury. Your employer may ask you to lift or move loads which you feel exceed the maximum weights. Even if the loads are below the guideline maximum weights, you may still feel physically incapable or struggle with the load.

If you are worried that your employer is placing you at risk of injury, by asking you to lift more than the recommended maximum weight at work, you should report your health & safety concerns.

Action to take if you sustain a lifting injury at work

If you have been injured as a result of lifting at work you may be entitled to make a workplace injury claim

Our guide for work injury compensation claims contains further information about the first steps you should take after an injury at work.

Obtain legal advice about making a work injury compensation claim

Compensation claims arising out of a lifting or manual handling injury can be complex. Professional, expert advice will be required to assess whether a claim can be made.

Beckett & Co Solicitors deal with injury claims caused by lifting or manual handling at work and we are happy to discuss your potential claim free of charge.

REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION

There is no need to worry about the costs of making a claim as we are happy to act on a no win – no fee basis. No hidden charges. If the claim is unsuccessful we do not charge a penny.

FAQs

According to legal manual handling guidelines, the maximum safe lifting weight for a woman is 16kg. And for men, the maximum safe lifting weight is 25kg. But, these factors will vary based on a number of factors.

The lifting equation establishes a maximum load of 51 pounds, which is then adjusted to account for how often you are lifting, twisting of your back during lifting, the vertical distance the load is lifted, the distance of the load from your body, the distance you move while lifting the load, and how easy it is to hold ...

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (British Columbia) does not specify a maximum weight that a person can lift. Instead the Regulation requires that factors that expose workers to the risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) be identified and assessed.

(d) Heavy work. Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that he or she can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

There are no legal limits, but regulations require the risk assessment to take into account the task, the load, working environment, individual capability and any other factors such as the impact of any personal protective equipment or clothing on movement or posture.

For your upper body, find the heaviest weight you can bench, deadlift or squat 4-to-6 times and plug it into this equation: (4-to-6RM x 1.1307) + 0.6998. So, if you can do 5 reps of 60kg, then according to the formula – (60 x 1.1307) + 0.6998 – your 1RM will be 68.5kg.

Experts recommend that lifts be limited to 35 pounds or less. Good health and strength may actually put workers at increased risk because their peers are much more likely to seek their assistance when manually lifting patients. “It is much faster to manually move patients.”

RE: OSHA 5 to 1 factor of safey

The specified 5:1 safety factor applies to items that are subject to wear - cables, sheaves, etc. You should apply this factor to anything subject to wear, shackles, lifting eyes, etc.

Slight bending of your back, hips and knees at the start of the lift is preferable to either fully flexing your back (stooping) or fully flexing your hips and knees (full/deep squatting). Don't flex your back any further while lifting. This can happen if your legs begin to straighten before you start to raise the load.

Implement Safe Lifting "3, 3, 3" as a hold point of lifting procedures before lifting, which can effectively improve the safety of lifting operation: • Keep 3m away from materials being lifted; • Lift up the materials 300mm from ground; and • Wait for 3 seconds for stabilising the lifting object before lifting ...

That, of course, means no heavy lifting. One way doctors help those with surgical wounds heal quickly — and avoid added physical stress that could raise blood pressure and, in turn, cause a cut to break open and bleed — is to recommend steering clear of picking up anything that weighs more than 10 pounds.

How Much Weight Can the Average Man Lift, Including Bench Press, Deadlift and Squat? Based on bench press standards and the average body weight of an American male, an untrained or novice man can often lift between 135 and 175 pounds.