Skill Up Safety
Manual Handling: Why Weight Alone Does Not Define Safety
A single weight limit cannot tell you whether a manual handling task is safe.
Start with the whole task
Consider the load, posture, reach, frequency, distance, working environment and individual capabilities. A light load can still create risk when the task is repetitive or awkward.
Avoid, assess and reduce risk
Avoid hazardous manual handling so far as reasonably practicable. Assess operations that cannot be avoided and reduce the risk of injury as low as reasonably practicable. Training supports these measures and does not replace them.
Use assessment tools appropriately
HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Charts help assess lifting, carrying and team handling. The colour bands identify risk factors needing attention; they are not universal legal weight limits or a guarantee that a lift is safe. The MAC tool may not be a complete assessment on its own.
Plan improvements
Involve the people doing the work. Consider changes to the task, layout, load or handling equipment, and check that the changes reduce risk.
Discuss your training needs.
Tell us about your team, the work they do and the training you want to arrange.
Request a training quote