Introduction

 

Manual handling is one of the main factors contributing to occupational accidents and illness in the UK.

It was the second-leading cause of work-related ill health, accounting for 30% of instances, and caused 8.9 million lost working days.

There were 480,000 total cases, including long-standing ones, of work-related musculoskeletal illnesses in 2019–20. Including 152,000 new cases (one of the most frequent repercussions of improper manual handling techniques).

Understanding what influences a person’s capacity for safe task performance is essential.

These figures show that the effects of inadequate manual handling are too widespread and can seriously impact people’s health.

Therefore, you must comprehend proper manual handling, weight restrictions, and handling practices to guard against bodily harm.

Therefore, employing safe manual handling practices and abiding by weight restrictions will guarantee that your company complies with the requirements of the pertinent UK legislation and guidance guidelines.

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This article will comprehensively review the manual handling weight restrictions and recommendations provided by the Health and Safety Executive and outlined in the law (HSE).

Manual Handling Weight Limits for Lifting

There are no set restrictions on how much manual handling and lifting can be done at work because it relies on many variables, including the nature of the task and the worker’s unique skills.

Manual handling activities to the lowest level reasonably possible under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992.

Different weight restrictions and techniques will be needed to achieve this depending on the sort of manual handling activity.

The hierarchy of measures outlined by the MHOR states that production lines and other forms of automation should always be used before manual handling procedures are avoided. If this is not feasible, the responsibility holder must evaluate the hazards presented by manual handling activities at work. And decide how to control them. Perform a risk analysis of the manual handling operations as part of this. To lessen the dangers to people’s health and safety, they must implement the required safety measures.

During the risk assessment for manual handling, duty holders must take into account the following 4 important factors:

 

1. Task – For instance, how much time it will take, how often it will be performed, whether it is repetitive. Whether it offers enough time for rest or recovery, and whether it requires twisting. Stooping, or reaching upwards. All of these factors may influence how demanding the work is.
2. Individual – Everyone has different physical abilities and limitations depending on various factors, such as age or physical makeup. New or pregnant mothers, persons with impairments. And people returning to work after an injury may all be particularly at risk. Since no two persons are similar, employers must tailor the work and safety procedures to each employee’s talents to ensure that everyone is equally protected from health and safety concerns.
3. Load – It can be challenging for a person to secure a firm grip and maintain control of the weight if it is too large or bulky. Challenging to hold, and has a fluctuating center of gravity (for example, if it contains liquid). The body might be put under extra stress as a result of this.
4. Environment – The task will be more challenging and consequently more physically demanding to do, for instance. If there isn’t enough room in the area for the person managing the weight to move comfortably, if the floor is uneven or has different levels, or if the person can’t see clearly.
5. High workloads, short deadlines, and a lack of control over the task and working methods can all cause psychological reactions that increase the risk for people.

 

TILE, or occasionally LITE:

is the name of these four elements. They are crucial when determining safe lifting techniques and weight restrictions for particular manual handling activities.

The MHOR and related HSE manual handling advice publications recommend weight restrictions for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and team actions in light of these variables and other guidance.

However, the guidelines are helpful resources for the individual in charge of establishing the essential manual handling restrictions.

Safe Lifting Weights

Although the MHOR does not specify weight restrictions, the HSE provides some lifting and lowering best practices. Although the HSE claims they employ “broad assumptions or generalizations where.
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