A look at the maximum weight limit for manual handling tasks and whether you can refuse to lift heavy objects at work.
We are a claims management company that can help you make a personal injury claim. Call us free on 0800 470 0472
Can I Refuse to Lift Heavy Objects at Work?
Lifting and carrying loads is a common part of many jobs, particularly in industries such as construction, warehousing, healthcare and retail. Employers owe their staff a legal duty of care to ensure that all manual handling tasks are safe and suitable for their abilities.
However, you may sometimes be asked to lift a load that is too heavy or beyond your physical capacity. Many people in this situation wonder if they can simply refuse to lift heavy objects at work and whether they could suffer any disciplinary action for doing so.
Please read on to find out whether you have the right to refuse unsafe work, what the HSE recommends as the maximum lifting weight, and what you should do if you suffer a manual handling injury at work.
Table of Contents
What is the maximum weight you can lift at work?
Manual handling refers to activities such as lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying a load using just your hands and bodily force. While it is an integral part of many jobs, it does not come without risks. Poor manual handling can lead to muscle strains, hernias and many other injuries.
However, it might surprise you to learn that there is no legal limit for how much weight you can lift at work. This is because:
- Each person has a different body strength and physical capability.
- Loads differ in shape, size and stability, which could make a 20 kg item easier to lift than a 15 kg bulky package.
- The work environment varies from job to job.
- Other factors, such as repetition and the height from which the load is lifted, impact safety.
Instead, the law focuses on assessing the risk associated with any manual handling operations that cannot be avoided, by carefully considering:
- The task.
- The load.
- The work environment.
- The capability of each worker.
What are the HSE manual handling guidelines for lifting heavy objects at work?
While there is no set manual handling weight limit, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guideline lifting limits to minimise the risk of injury. These are:
Maximum lifting limits for men
| Lift Height | If Held Close to the Body | If Held Further Away |
|---|---|---|
| Head height | 10kg | 5kg |
| Shoulder height | 20kg | 10kg |
| Elbow height | 25kg | 15kg |
| Knuckle height | 20kg | 10kg |
| Mid lower leg height | 10kg | 5kg |
Maximum lifting limits for women
| Lift Height | If Held Close to the Body | If Held Further Away |
|---|---|---|
| Head height | 7kg | 3kg |
| Shoulder height | 13kg | 7kg |
| Elbow height | 16kg | 10kg |
| Knuckle height | 13kg | 7kg |
| Mid lower leg height | 7kg | 3kg |
Employers must consider the HSE guidelines and carry out manual handling risk assessments before assigning any lifting tasks.
Can I refuse to lift heavy objects that exceed the maximum safe weight?
As there is no maximum weight for heavy lifting imposed by the law, you may be entitled to refuse to lift a heavy object if you reasonably believe it would pose a risk to your health and safety. However, you must have a valid reason, such as:
- You were asked to lift and carry the heavy object in an unsafe environment.
- The object exceeds HSE guideline weights for your gender, posture or handling method.
- You did not receive proper training on how to lift the load safely.
- You were not provided with mechanical aids or assistance.
- Your employer did not carry out risk assessments for the task.
- The lifting task poses a risk of injury to you or others.
- You are recovering from an injury or suffer from a pre-existing condition that the heavy lifting could worsen.
If you feel at risk about lifting a heavy object at work, you should immediately report your concern to your employer and explain why you believe the task is unsafe. This can help avoid an injury and a future compensation claim against them.
Can I be sacked if I refuse to lift heavy objects at work?
Your employer must protect your health and safety while you are at work. This includes making sure that you do not have to lift an object that is too heavy for you, even if it does not exceed the maximum weight recommended by the HSE.
As stated above, you have the right to refuse to lift heavy objects at work if you believe that it poses a risk to your health and safety. If you have valid grounds to refuse a task on health and safety grounds and act reasonably, your employer should not dismiss you or take any other disciplinary action against you for doing so.
However, you should immediately inform them and follow internal procedures to document your refusal. If your employer does sack you, you can potentially make a further claim for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal.
What should employers do to keep you safe from manual handling accidents?
Employers have a legal duty to protect staff from the risk of manual handling injuries. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, they must:
- Avoid all hazardous manual handling where possible.
- Supply mechanical aids, such as trolleys, chutes, pallet trucks or conveyors.
- Assess the risk of manual handling tasks that can’t be avoided.
- Provide proper training on safe lifting techniques and safety instructions.
- Ensure all employees are physically capable of the tasks they are assigned.
- Keep a safe work environment, clear of slip and trip hazards.
A breach of these duties can lead to various injuries for which you may be eligible to claim manual handling accident compensation.
What injuries could heavy lifting cause?
Lifting heavy objects at work can lead to a wide range of injuries, especially without adequate manual handling training and support. These include:
- Sprains and strains in the back, arms or shoulders.
- Slipped discs and chronic back pain.
- Long-term joint problems and arthritis.
- Cuts, bruises and work-related crush injuries.
- Hernias.
- Repetitive strain injuries.
What should I do if I suffer a manual handling injury?
If you suffered a manual handling injury in the workplace, you should:
- Report it to your employer and make sure it is logged in the company’s accident book.
- Seek prompt medical attention, even if the injury seems minor at first.
- Gather evidence, such as photos of the object you were carrying and your injuries.
- Keep records of how the injury has affected your life and any related financial losses.
- Get in touch with a specialist solicitor to find out if you can make an accident at work claim.
If you feel you have a valid reason to claim compensation, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free case assessment or request a call back.
