What is the maximum weight at work according to your age?

Employers have a duty to limit the manual handling of loads by their employees by implementing special measures such as the use of gripping accessories or handling equipment.
Find in this article the maximum load weight that an employee can carry during his work and discover our Manut-LM manual handling assistance solutions.

What are the different types of manual handling of loads at work?

There are different types of manual handling:

• Luggage transport: it includes moving the load in the horizontal plane;
• Lifting and installation of luggage: it includes the vertical movement of the load;
• Carrying loads: either the transfer of luggage from one point to another, regardless of the height of the socket. The carriage of luggage includes both lifting and transport itself.

There are also manual handling rhythms:

• The isolated charging port: it must take place once a day;
• Occasional charging port: the activity should only be repeated once every five minutes;
• Repeated charging port: the activity is regular and is done at least once every five minutes over the course of several hours.

What are the conditions to be respected when carrying heavy loads?

The standard conditions of carriage of baggage are as follows:

• Move your luggage a distance of 2 m with both hands and perform the pick-up and drop-off height between 0.75 m and 1.10 m once every five minutes;
• Complete a full cycle that includes a return without load over the same distance;
• Carry loads on a rigid surface, flat, non-slippery and unobstructed floor.

What is the maximum permissible working weight?

Regulations regulate the carrying of charges in professional and residential environments.

Here are the different acceptable limits of the charging port:

• The load limit for teenagers is 15 kg for those aged 14 to 15 years; 20 kg for those aged 16 to 17;
• The maximum weight that adolescent girls can carry is 8 kg for those aged 14 and 15; 10 kg for those aged 16 and 17;
• The load bearing limit for women not to exceed is 25 kg maximum;
• The load limit for men not to be exceeded is a maximum of 55 kg. However, men are allowed to carry loads exceeding 55 kg only if they are recognized as fit by occupational medicine.

CNAM Recommendation R.367 also specifies the load limits not to be exceeded when using manual pallet trucks in transport and processing companies.

Throughout the day, you make considerable physical effort to pull, push, move, lift and unload loads. Poor posture and excessive tension can damage your intervertebral discs.

If you can’t avoid carrying loads, organize your work in a way that avoids the risks of carrying heavy loads.

Here are some suggestions:

• Propose a layout plan to your employer;
• If your employer validates the accommodation plan, arrange your workplace;
• Carefully manage your handling so as not to carry additional and unnecessary loads;
• Use handling aids if available. With the help of these machines, you can move your loads more easily;
• Alternate tasks;
• Favor working in pairs;
• Take recovery breaks;
• Perform warm-up exercises and stretching exercises;
• Practice the right gestures and postures.

Some rules for lifting and carrying a load correctly

Here are some techniques to follow to properly carry a load:

• Be stable on your legs;
• Before lifting a heavy load, keep your legs balanced;
• Spread your legs;
• Always put yourself in front of the load;
• Put yourself in front of the load to be lifted to avoid twisting your spine;
• Bend your knees;
• Lift the load with your knees and bend your legs to keep your spine straight;
• Firmly grasp your package;
• Hold the object firmly to distribute the weight evenly;
• Lift with your back straight;
• Lifting the load with the back straight, the intervertebral discs are solicited evenly;
• Keep the load as close to your body as possible;
• The closer you are to the load, the less you put on your spine.

Accidents due to carrying heavy loads

Carrying heavy loads repeatedly can lead to accidents such as:

• Falls or sprains;
• Muscle or joint pain such as low back pain, sciatica;
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Ultimately, the maximum working weight allowed by the regulations differs according to the sex and age of the worker.

To strictly comply with this regulatory provision, Manut-LM offers efficient and ergonomic handling solutions: stackers, overhead cranes, lifting tube manipulators, etc.