What Manual Handling Weight Limits Apply To Workplaces?

By Lewis Hendrix. Last Updated 19th May 2023. Welcome to our guide on what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces and what’s the maximum weight to lift at work. We offer insight into making manual handling injury claims if you’ve been asked to lift over the manual handling weight limit at work and have been injured as a result of lifting over the safe lifting weight at work . Plus, we discuss why there are different manual handling lifting limits, such as the two personal lift weight limit for UK workplaces. We explore statistics on accidents  caused by lifting over the maximum manual handling weight limit UK. Worried your injuries have been caused by lifting over the manual handling limit in the UK? You could find this lifting limits and manual handling claims guide useful.

We also explain some common injuries from manual handling. Plus, we explain what manual handling injury compensation could include.

Manual handling lifting limits – how much should you be lifting?

Did you know that a manual handling weight limit applies when you are tasked with moving something heavy at work? If you didn’t, then read on, because, in this guide, we shall answer questions such as: 

• What is the maximum weight to lift at work? 
• Can I refuse to lift heavy objects at work if they’re over the manual handling weight limit?
• What should I do if I injure myself when lifting at work?
• Can I make manual handling injury claims?

Our manual handling weight limit guide and what it covers

The focus of this article is on making a personal injury claim for a work-related injury caused by manual lifting. We will look at the responsibility of the employer to prevent such an accident at work and the process an employee can take to get a claim underway if they’ve been forced to lift over the maximum weight to lift at work. Our No Win No Fee manual handling injury claims team is available 24 hours a day on 0800 073 8801 to provide you with any help or advice you need.

Select A Section:

• A Guide To Manual Handling Weight Limits In The Workplace
• What Are Manual Handling Weight Limits For Workplaces?
• Guidelines On Safe Lifting Limits In The Workplace
• What Are The Do’s And Don’ts Of Lifting Heavy Items?
• What Factors Could Affect How Much Should Be Lifted?
• Manual Handling Maximum Weight – Example Injuries If Exceeded
• What Should I Do If My Employer Asks Me To Go Beyond The Maximum Lifting Weight At Work?
• Training For Safely Lifting And Handling In The Workplace
• Do I Need Evidence To Claim For An Injury Caused By Manual Handling And Lifting?
• Injuries From Manual Handling – Calculating Compensation Payouts
• Additional Compensation Which You Could Claim For Lifting Injuries
• Manual Handling Claims – No Win No Fee Legal Help
• Where To Learn More About Manual Handling Injury Claims

A Guide To Manual Handling Weight Limits In The Workplace

The sections below combine to give a detailed online guide that relates to the manual handling weight limit at work, showing you the maximum weight to lift at work in a number of ways. The guide also covers workplace accident claims due to manual handling or lifting accidents, showing how a personal injury lawyer could assist you in getting any compensation you are entitled to for injuries you have suffered due to being made to move a heavy object that weighed more than the maximum lifting weights for employees.

What’s included in this guide to the maximum weight to lift at work?

We begin this guide with a general introduction on what manual handling weight limits are and why they are in place before moving on to look at the general guidelines for manual handling at work. As we discuss what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces, we will cover guidelines that relate to both males and females.

Further information is provided that will go over some important safety tips for lifting heavy items and how additional factors can affect the amount of weight that can be lifted. We also explain how lifting a lighter load can also be dangerous and the kinds of steps you should take if you are injured while lifting at work. We tie this part of the guide up with some information about the kinds of training that employees should receive, teaching them to lift safely.

More than just advice on the maximum weight to lift at work – insight on manual handling injury claims

The next part of this guide moves on to look at specific legal and financial aspects of the claims process. Firstly, we have included a table that shows possible compensation ranges for different severities of back or neck injuries. We support this table with a discussion of the kinds of damages that a claimant might receive and why. We explain how we can help you with your claim and how a No Win No Fee claim works.

If this guide does not answer all of the questions you have, then please reach out to our No Win No Fee claims team today. An expert claims advisor will answer all of your questions and also tell you how we can help you move your claim forward. You can contact our claims team on the number at the top or bottom of this guide.

What Are Manual Handling Weight Limits For Workplaces?

What is the maximum weight limit I can lift at work? The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued guidelines regarding what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces. The safe weight limit changes based on how the object being lifted is held and on the gender of the lifter. 

Generally, the maximum safe lifting weight for men is 25kg. The maximum safe lifting weight for women is 16kg. These apply if the load is held close to their body. For example, only a 5kg weight is considered safe for men if it is to be carried above shoulder height.

We will look at the manual handling weight limit in more detail in the following section. In relation to this guide, it is important to remember that if you are asked to lift an inappropriate weight, and you are harmed because of this, the party that made you lift the weight could be liable for damages. Speak to our claims team to learn more about this.

Guidelines On Safe Lifting Limits In The Workplace

The HSE has published a complete guide to manual handling and safety, including what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces. One of the core themes of this guide is that before any lifting takes place, the risk needs to be assessed. This assessment must consider the risk to the person performing the lift and also the risk to any other employees involved in the task. These guidelines have to be followed completely at all times. A failure to do so could be deemed a failure in Health & Safety compliance, and sanctions might be made against the company responsible. It could also leave the victim in a position to make a compensation claim. Speak to one of our advisors for more information about this.

Manual Handling Weight Limit For Men -Recommended Safe Lifting Limits For Men To Avoid Manual Handling Injury Claims

If you’re asking yourself, “what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces in different lifting scenarios?” then this section will be of use to you. The recommended lifting limits for men take into account the generally stronger bodies of males and is therefore slightly higher than the weight the females can lift. 

The maximum weight to lift at work for men

When the weight is to be lifted from:

• Above the shoulder, held close to the body – 10kg.
• Below the shoulder but above the elbow, held close to the body – 20kg.
• Under elbow height but above knuckle height held close to the body – 25kg.
• Below knuckle height but above mid-leg height, held close to the body – 20kg.
• Below mid-leg height held close to the body – 10kg.
• Above the shoulder, held away from the body – 5kg.
• Below the shoulder but above the elbow, away from the body – 10kg.
• Under elbow height but above knuckle height held away from the body – 15kg.
• Below knuckle height but above mid-leg height, held away from the body – 10kg.
• Below mid-leg height held close to the body – 5kg.

These limits must be adhered to at all times, with no exceptions.

Recommended Safe Lifting Limits For Women to avoid manual handling injury claims

What is the maximum weight to lift at work? For a woman, the weight limits are a little lower than those for men. So, what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces for women?

The maximum weight to lift at work for women

These limits are:

When the weight is to be lifted from:

• Above the shoulder, held close to the body – 7kg.
• Below the shoulder but above the elbow, held close to the body – 13kg.
• Under elbow height but above knuckle height held close to the body – 16kg.
• Below knuckle height but above mid-leg height held close to the body – 13kg.
• Below mid-leg height held close to the body – 7kg.
• Above the shoulder, held away from the body – 3kg.
• Below the shoulder but above the elbow, away from the body – 7kg.
• Under elbow height but above knuckle height held away from the body – 10kg.
• Below knuckle height but above mid-leg height held away from the body – 7kg.
• Below mid-leg height, help close to the body – 3kg.

What Are The Do’s And Don’ts Of Lifting Heavy Items?

When deciding the maximum weight to lift at work, both the employer and the employee should make sure that the weight is within the acceptable weight limit, with no exceptions.

Other considerations include:

• Do not lift a heavy object if you have not been trained how to do so safely.
• Make sure the object has suitable handholds or grips.
• When appropriate, use proper lifting equipment such as a back brace and gloves.
• If lifting equipment is available, such as a trolley or manual hydraulic lift, use these.

It’s not just about the maximum weight to lift at work that leads to manual handling injury claims

The single most important consideration is to use common sense. If you are asked to lift a weight that you are sure you cannot safely lift, then tell your employer that you have doubts. If your employer insists you move the item and you are injured, you could have grounds to make a compensation claim. Our team can provide more information about this.

What Factors Could Affect How Much Should Be Lifted?

The manual handling weight is not the only factor that could affect safety when carrying out manual handling tasks. Other considerations could be:

• Lifting that involves bending or twisting the body.
• Lifting in a confined space.
• Repeated lifting over a short period of time.

These are just a few additional considerations that could lead to an employee being harmed at work. If liability can be proven against an employer, a claim may be possible. So, it’s good to know what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces, but also the other contributing factors.

Manual Handling Maximum Weight – Example Injuries If Exceeded

As we have stated already in this guide, generally, for manual handling, the maximum weight limit for men is 25kg and for women is 16kg. If these lifting limits were to be exceeded, there are various types of injuries that you could suffer from. Some examples include:

• A back injury – This could be slipped discs in the back and could be caused by poor posture, twisting or swooping.
• Strains and sprains – Carrying heavy loads can lead to your muscles spraining or straining in the back, arms or wrists.
• Breaks or fractures – If you were to drop a heavy load that you were carrying, this could potentially result in a break or fracture, such as a broken foot or a fractured finger.
• Hernias – If a load is too heavy, and it results in you straining to lift it, this could potentially lead to a hernia which could cause you severe discomfort and pain if left untreated.

No matter what injury you have suffered, to be eligible for compensation you must be able to prove that your injury was caused by your employer breaching their duty of care.

Contact our advisors today for more guidance on the maximum weight for manual handling. They could also offer you free legal advice concerning your personal injury claim.

What Should I Do If My Employer Asks Me To Go Beyond The Maximum Lifting Weight At Work?

Should your employer ask you to lift over the maximum weight to lift at work that applies to you, you might wonder what you could do. After all, lifting over the maximum lifting weight at work that applies to you could cause you to suffer an injury.

If there is a risk of injury, your employer should carry out a risk assessment of the task you are expected to complete. It may be that doing so will identify a safer way to move the load. For example, there may be lifting equipment that could help you. A risk assessment could help to identify this.

If a manager or supervisor refuses to risk assess a load or still wishes you to lift over the maximum weight to lift at work, and you sustain an injury as a result, you may be able to seek compensation.

To find out more about whether manual handling injuries could lead to manual handling claims and get case-specific guidance, please call our team. We would be happy to assess your eligibility to claim compensation if you’ve been injured lifting over the maximum lifting weight at work.

Training For Safely Lifting And Handling In The Workplace

One of the most important considerations related to how to safely lift at work is to make sure you have received sufficient training about how to lift safely. Your employer is obligated to ensure you receive this training as part of their health and safety duties.

If your employer asks you to lift something and you have not been trained, then if you are injured, a claim could well exist. Speak to our claims team to find out how we can help with this.

Injuries Relating To The Manual Handling Weight Limit – Claim Time Limits

As we’ve already mentioned, the HSE provides guidelines for the manual handling maximum weight. If you’ve suffered an injury because your employer asked you to lift over the manual handling weight limit, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

However, you will also need to ensure that you start your claim within the relevant time limit. Usually, you’ll have three years to start your claim, as stated in the Limitation Act 1980. This time limit begins from the date of your accident.

There are some exceptions to this rule. If someone was under eighteen when they were injured, then the time limit is frozen until their eighteenth birthday. During this period, a court-appointed litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf. From their 18th birthday, they will then have 3 years to start their claim if one has not already been made.

Likewise, if someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim for themself, the time limit is frozen indefinitely, and a litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf.  If they were to regain this mental capacity, then they will have 3 years to start their claim from this date if one has not already been made.

Read on to find out more about the recommended max weight to lift at work, or get in touch with our advisors today to find out if you are within the time limit to start a claim.

Lifting and handling at work statistics

Manual handling and lifting is a leading cause of injury and illness in workplaces in Great Britain. Statistics released by HSE have shown that, in 2019/20, there were 12,344 accidents involving lifting and handling that were reported to RIDDOR. Lifting and handing accounted for 19% of all workplace accidents, and 24% of accidents that resulted in an absence of over 7 days.

The graph below which shows the number of accidents caused by lifting and handling depending on industry type. As we can see, lifting and carrying poses more of a risk in some industries than it does others.  This could be because some industries require minimal or no lifting or handling, and so the potential for injury is much smaller, where for other industries it is an important part of the role. This is in contrast to injuries like slips, trips and falls where the risk is similar across all industries as all workers need to move around their workspace to some extent.

The section for education, human health and social work activities accounted for the highest number of injuries caused by lifting and handling. However, it also accounted for the highest number of accidents overall in a single industry; 20,450 accidents of all kinds occurred across education, human health and social work in 2019/20, which is 31% of all non-fatal accidents reported to RIDDOR in this time. Therefore, these statistics may reflect the fact that this industry is more likely to result in worker injuries overall rather instead of having a higher frequency of accidents relating to lifting and handling alone. But these figures is worth being mindful of when considering what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces.

Do I Need Evidence To Claim For An Injury Caused By Manual Handling And Lifting?

If you were injured in an accident at work involving manual handling and lifting, you’ll need to prove that negligence occurred in order to be able to claim. Collecting sufficient evidence could help support your personal injury claim, as it could help prove that your employer was liable for the accident and the injuries you suffered.

Below are a few examples of evidence that could support your claim:

• A copy of the report in the workplace accident book.
• CCTV footage of the accident if your workplace has security cameras.
• A copy of your medical records stating the injuries you suffered due to your employer asking you to exceed the manual handling limit.
• The contact details of any witness to the accident, so that they can provide a statement at a later date.

Contact our advisors if you have any questions regarding heavy lifting at work and the law in place regarding manual handling. Additionally, they may connect you with one of our solicitors who could help you gather evidence, provided you have a valid claim.

Injuries From Manual Handling – Calculating Compensation Payouts

If you’re interested in claiming for injuries from manual handling, you might want to know how to go about calculating compensation payouts. If this is the case, it’s important to realise that a manual handling claims calculator would only provide you with a rough estimate.

When calculating manual handling injury compensation, courts and lawyers look at the following factors:

• How severe your initial injury was
• The short-and long-term effects on your quality of life
• The impact of the injury on your mental health
• Whether you’ve lost out on income or incurred costs from the manual handling injury

Generally, though, each settlement may comprise up to two heads of claim: general and special damages. General damages compensate for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. Special damages compensate for financial losses incurred due to your injuries.

The table below could give you some guidance on compensation for the pain and suffering of injuries from manual handling. This is only a rough guide, however. The figures come from the Judicial College Guidelines. This is a publication that lawyers could use to value general damages.

Injury	Severity	Information	Compensation
Back	Severe (iii)	Injuries such as disc fractures or lesions, or soft tissue injuries that lead to chronic conditions and various disabilities despite undergoing treatment.	£38,780 to £69.730
Back	Minor (i)	A sprain, strain, disc prolapse or soft tissue injury that fully recovers without needing surgery within 2-5 years.	£7,890 to £12,510
Foot	Moderate	A permanent deformity due to displaced metatarsal fractures. There is also a risk of needing future surgery or long-term osteoarthritis.	£13,740 to £24,990
Wrist	(c)	A less serious wrist injury that results in a degree of persisting stiffness and pain.	£12,590 to £24,500
Wrist	(d)	Where a soft tissue injury in the wrist takes longer than a year to completely heal.	£6,080 to £10,350
Hernia	(a)	Limitation on employment and physical activities with continuing pain after the hernia is repaired.	£14,900 to £24,170
Hernia	(b)	A direct inguinal hernia, that has some risk of reoccuring even after being repaired.	£7,010 to £9,100
Shoulder	Serious	The lower part of the brachial plexus is damaged and the shoulder is dislocated. This causes pain in the neck and shoulder with aching in the arm.	£12,770 to £19,200
Toe	Serious	Two or more toes have been crushed which will cause pain and discomfort.	£9,600 to £13,740
Hand	Fracture to Index Finger	The fracture may have mended quickly, but grip is impaired and the person is likely to develop osteoarthritis.	£9,110 to £12,240

If you would like further guidance on manual handling injury compensation payouts, we’d be happy to talk to you. 

Additional Compensation Which You Could Claim For Lifting Injuries

When a personal injury solicitor is successful in securing you a compensation settlement, it could be made up of a number of different kinds of damages. 

General damages for manual handling injury claims

General damages are paid to the claimant to make up for the physical and psychological hardship inflicted by the injury. The worse the hardship the claimant went through or faces in the future, the higher the damages. Examples include:

• Permanent disability, if your injuries will never heal fully and will leave you impaired in some way.
• Traumatic treatment, such as invasive surgery.
• Psychological injuries such as depression or anxiety caused by the accident or your injuries.
• General pain and suffering at the time of the accident.
• Stress and mental anguish caused by being subjected to a traumatic event.

Special damages for manual handling injury claims

Special damages are a related group of damages that are all related to non-physical, financial and other losses. When claiming for expenses incurred, the claimant must be able to provide documented evidence of such spending. Examples include:

• Loss of future work/earning potential due to some form of impairment.
• Loss of earnings (salary/wages) due to taking time away from work.
• The cost of hiring a nurse or other professional to care for you at home.
• Out of pocket expenses such as travel tickets.
• The cost of private medical treatment (if not available for free from the National Health Service).

These are some examples of the types of damages claimants frequently claim for. But there are more. They take into account what manual handling weight limits apply to workplaces. if you would like to learn which might apply in your own case, we could help. Please speak to one of our claim advisors.

Manual Handling Claims – No Win No Fee Legal Help

If you’ve been injured in an incident where you were asked to exceed the manual handling weight limit, then you could be owed compensation. If so, then you may find it helpful to work with one of our solicitors. They can offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis.

When operating in this way, you only pay a legally capped percentage of your settlement to your lawyer if your claim succeeds. If your claim fails, you don’t have to pay them. You are also typically not expected to pay an upfront fee or cover ongoing costs.

Find out today if you could work with a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis for injuries caused by exceeding the maximum weight for manual handling and lifting limits. Get in touch with our advisors by:

• Calling on 0800 073 8801
• Contact us through our website
• Use the pop-up chat window in the corner of the screen

Where To Learn More About The Manual Handling Weight Limit

Useful external links:

The Law-Related To Manual Handling

Information About Back Injuries

HSE Manual Handling Resources

Internal Guides Relating To The Manual Handling Weight Limit

Manual Handling Claims

Claiming For An Accident At Work

How To Claim For A Back Injury

Other Useful Guides

• Factory Accident Claims
• How Much Could I Receive For A Pelvis Injury At Work?
• A Guide To Office Accident Claims
• Who Pays My Claim For A Work-Related Injury?
• Work Accident Claims – Accident Claims
• Can I Claim For A Broken Elbow At Work?
• Can I Claim If My Employer Has Ceased Trading?
• Is An Employee Eligible To Claim If They Did Not Report An Injury?
• Could I Sue An Employer For Negligence Leading To Injuries?
• How To Claim For A Fractured Toe At Work
• Can I Claim For A Fractured Collarbone At Work?
• How To Claim For A Crushed Foot At Work
• Assault at Work Compensation Claims

What Manual Handling Weight Limits Apply To Workplaces And the Maximum Weight To Lift At Work FAQs – Find out more about manual handling injury claims

What is the legal requirement for manual handling training?

It is mandatory for employers to ensure that all employees have proper training and competency for manual handling.

Can I refuse to lift heavy items at work?

You can inform your employers if you feel the item is over the manual handling weight limit could cause you harm or if you feel unsafe.

What are the four key areas of manual handling?

These are the nature of the job, how capable the individual lifting the object is, what the load actually is, and the nature of the environment.

How often do I need to do manual handling training on the maximum weight to lift at work?

On average, the recommendation is to undergo/repeat manual handling training every 12 months.

Is a lifting restriction a disability?

No, because being unable to lift items above a certain weight doesn’t really restrict their ability to perform a role at work.

Which is the correct way to access the load?

You should keep the heaviest side of the load close to your body. Also, avoiding any twisting or leaning when lifting could help.

Can I deliver manual handling training to avoid manual handling injury claims?

Assuming that you have the competency and qualifications necessary, you could deliver in-house manual handling training at work.

How long does a manual handling course take?

It generally takes around 2-3 hours to complete a manual handling course.

What percentage of workplace injuries are caused by manual handling?

If we look at the HSE statistics for non-fatal injuries to employees for 2020- 21, we can see that a staggering 18% of injuries were caused by handling lifting or carrying.

While these figures do not show whether they were caused by an employer’s negligence, they do show that these are common accidents in workplaces.

You can see how this cause of injury compares to others below.

What should you ask yourself before manually lifting an object?

Whilst there is no specific manual handling weight limit, it’s important to consider whether you’re lifting an excessive amount. You may also want to consider the space you have when manoeuvring an object. That shoudl ensure your path is clear and you have somewhere to place the object.

Also, it might be worth considering whether there are other methods to use rather than lifting the object yourself. For instance, your employer might have specialised equipment that would make your job safer.

What is the maximum weight a person should lift?

Whilst you might be wondering what the manual handling weight limit is, this is not the only thing you should take into account. Every person is different and the weight you can safely lift will depend on your specific circumstances.

For instance, you may have an injury that prevents you from handling, lifting or carrying. Alternatively, you may not have had sufficient or adequate training to lift safely.

What is the two person lift weight limit in the UK?

The HSE provides guidance on the lifting and lowering risk filter. The weight limit guidelines are different for women and men and differ depending on where you are lifting from, such as the shoulders, elbow or mid lower leg. This is why employers should always risk assess each lifting job. They should also assess any jobs involving carrying, pushing or pulling loads. 

I was asked to lift over what I feel is my maximum manual handling weight – can I refuse?

If you believe a load you are being asked to move is too heavy and over the maximum manual handling weight you feel comfortable with, then you could refuse to do so. You could ask your employer to consider other means of moving the item. They should take your concerns seriously, as they have a legal responsibility to protect you from harm from work-related tasks.

Is lifting over the weight limit for manual handling the only cause of manual handling injuries?

Simply put, no. There could be many other causes of manual handling injuries. These could relate to the size of the load. They could also relate to the nature of the load. For example, the HSE gives specific guidance on plasterboard loads. They state that difficulty with grip and the confined spaces these loads are often required to be moved in present additional risks. 

I was injured lifting over the maximum weight to lift at work – can my employer fire me for making manual handling injury claims?

Some people worry that employers would take a dim view of them making a claim for an accident at work that involves manual handling. It’s important that you are aware of your rights in this respect. Firstly, you would be making your claim against your employer’s insurance in most cases. Therefore, it would not be like taking money out of the company, although your employer’s insurance costs may go up as a result. Secondly, you have protection in law when you expose wrongdoing at your place of employment. Your employer isn’t legally allowed to treat you differently because of your claim. In addition, many employers are completely understanding and supportive of the fact that you’re making a claim for compensation. Finally, making your claim could avoid the same fate befalling another employee.

Could I make manual handling injury claims if I was injured due to someone else’s negligent manual handling?

If you suffered an injury because someone else was not trained in manual handling by an employer, you could make a claim for compensation. According to the HSE’s fatal accident statistics, 17 people were killed in 2020/21 due to being hit by a moving object. You can see below the other reasons for fatalities in the workplace.

 

Could I be sacked for making manual handling injury claims against my employer?

According to the law, those who speak up about workplace wrongdoing have protection from being treated differently because of what they report. If you report an accident at work due to wrongdoing on the part of your employer, they would not be able to take action against you by firing you. If you are worried about making a claim against your employer for fear of being fired, we’d be happy to talk to you in detail about the protection you could have. We could also support you as you make manual handling injury claims against them.

If, for example, someone was working above you and dropped something due to mishandling because they did not receive training, and you were hit on the head with the object, your injury could be against your employer for failing to protect you. Training people to handle safety could not only protect them from harm, but it could protect others too. If you could prove your employer was responsible for your manual handling injury at work, you could make a claim against them.

What percentage of accidents are caused by manual handling? 

The percentage of accidents caused by handling, lifting and carrying was 18% of all employer reported accidents in 2020-21. The HSE reported that the main cases of musculoskeletal injuries caused by work according to respondents in 2009/10-2011/12 were manual handling, working in awkward positions or tiring positions, repetitive work and work on keyboards.

Why is there a manual handling weight limit in place at my work?

You may feel that you could lift heavier than the manual handling weight limit set by your workplace. However, manual handling lifting limits are put in place to protect workers. You should not lift more than the manual handling limits set by your workplace, even if they are lower than the maximum manual handling limits outlined in this guide without checking with your employer. There may be a reason they have asked you to lift less than the manual handling limits.

Does lifting over the manual handling weight limit in the UK always lead to a claim?

Not every incident where someone is injured lifting over the manual handling weight limit in the UK would lead to a claim. Sometimes, despite knowing the maximum weight to lift at work, and being trained on lifting limits, someone might take it upon themselves to lift over the safe lifting limit. As such, they may become injured due to their own behaviour. However, in order to claim, you must be able to prove that your employer breached the duty of care they owed you and caused you harm.

How do I know whether my employer has broken manual handling laws?

Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from the risk of injury or illness at work by taking reasonable steps to reduce or remove any known hazards.

Part of this duty of care can include ensuring employees receive relevant training for their role.

If your employer has failed to provide such training and you’ve suffered injuries from manual handling as a result, you could be eligible to claim. To learn more about manual handling injury compensation or manual handling laws, please call our team. We’d be happy to advise you as to whether you could have a claim.

I wasn’t informed of lifting limits, and was injured lifting over the maximum weight to lift at work, could I claim?

If inadequate training leads to you lifting over the safe lifting limit at work, and you suffer harm as a result, you could be eligible to claim. However, you would need to prove that your employer’s negligence caused you harm.

Please call our team for a free eligibility check. We will ask you some questions about what happened to you. Once we have ascertained the details we need about your accident and injuries, we will be able to offer insight into whether you could be eligible for compensation. 

What injuries could be caused by lifting over the safe lifting weight?

There are a variety of injuries that lifting over the safe lifting weight could cause. A person could suffer a back injury, for example, or an injury to the neck or arms. If they drop a load because it is over the maximum weight to lift at work, this could lead to a foot injury, for example. 

Thank you for reading our guide on what manual handling weight limit applies to workplaces. Hopefully, you know know what’s the maximum weight to lift at work and how to make manual handling injury claims.