Many workplaces require lifting as part of daily functions, and others will only occasionally ask employees to lift items. So, how much should I lift? Is there a maximum lifting weight for employees? Can I refuse to carry a heavy load?
Workplace safety is something that must be taken very seriously in every work environment. Whether you work in an office, warehouse, factory, or elsewhere you must be aware of the regulations regarding the maximum lifting weight at work.
The type of materials being lifted is the first thing that must be considered before deciding if the item can and should be lifted by an employee.
Under the legislative requirement, as part of the Canada Labour Code, Part II Manual Handling of Materials, for all federal workplaces, the following must be considered:
Hazard Assessment
The employer must give instructions to prevent manual handling, if at all practicable, if materials, commodities, or other items have qualities that render manual handling dangerous to an employee’s health or safety. This indicates that the employer should discover alternatives to manual handling if lifting a certain product might endanger an employee’s health owing to considerations like weight, size, form, or toxicity.
Risk Factors Consideration
Employers must consider a wide range of variables when deciding whether manual handling poses a risk to workers. These variables include how often and for how long an object must be lifted or carried by hand, as well as the distances and terrain involved. This evaluation aids in detecting any task-related dangers that may exist.
Weight Limit for Office Workers
Employees should not be asked to manually lift or transport objects weighing more than 23 kg if they spend most of their time working in offices and are not mainly responsible for manual lifting. The purpose of this legislation is to safeguard office employees from overexertion.
Instruction & Training
The employer is expected to offer adequate education and training when an employee is needed to manually lift or carry loads weighing more than 10 kg. This instruction also covers safe lifting and carrying techniques that put less strain on the body. The work methods should also be adjusted to the physical capabilities of the person and the unique working circumstances.
Heavy Loads
The employer is required to give written instructions when an employee needs to manually lift or carry loads that weigh more than 45 kg. These written instructions must be preserved by the employer for two years after they are no longer necessary, and they must be easily accessible to the employee. By doing this, you can guarantee that your staff is aware of the proper procedures for managing extremely large goods.
Under the CLC, Part II, Manual Handling of Material regulation, outlines the various requirements for office workers and employees who are required to lift or carry manually. Each section provides additional requirements depending on the weight of the load (e.g. instruction, training or work procedure)
After reading the CLC, Part II, consider these questions:
- Am I lifting too much?
- Should I use a back belt?
- How do I write the instructions or work procedures?
- What is the proper lifting technique?
- How can I measure the lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying requirements of my job?
Where Do I Go For Help?
At Auspice Safety Inc. we can assist and provide all workplaces with program development, training and specific measurements for manual material handling. We are able to measure the lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying requirements with a Physical Demands Analysis or Job Task Analysis.
We have assisted organizations across North America, and we look forward to assisting your workplace. Please contact us at 613.558.5385 or info@auspicesafety.com