Manual Handling

All employers have a responsibility to avoid manual handling where possible if there is a risk of injury. If the lifting cannot be avoided then they should reduce the risk of injury as much as possible.

You should always test the weight of the load before lifting it. Then you should make sure that you are in a stable position. Always make sure you use your legs, they are your strongest muscles and minimise the pressure on your back. When lifting from the floor you should, find a stable position, lower to the floor by bending your knees and keeping your back straight, then bring the load close to your body and use your legs to lift as you stand keep the neutral posture

There are no legal limits of what you can or can’t lift at work. But 20kg is about the maximum you should be lifting.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 is the legislation surrounding manual handling. It states that if your workplace requires you to do manual handling then everyone one should undertake proper training to understand what the do’s and don’ts of lifting are.