Engineered Solutions,
Northside Farm,
Harlow Hill,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 0LZ
E: enq@engineeredsolutions.org.uk
T: 01661 853198 - F: 01661 854233
Engineered Solutions,
Northside Farm,
Harlow Hill,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 0LZ
E: enq@engineeredsolutions.org.uk
T: 01661 853198 - F: 01661 854233
Indicative guidelines for safe handling weights are:
From Waist high: Men: 20kgs, Women: 12kgs.
Avoid stretch or reach lifts, and use correct lifting and manoeuvring postures.
When handling with trucks, trolleys and barrows, the guide weights above are extended to the following:
For 2 wheeled equipment: Men: 75kgs, Women: 45kgs.
For 4 wheeled equipment: Men: 300kgs, Women: 180kgs.
Loads heavier than this require specialist equipment and we are available to provide some free advice on safe handling guidance. The section on safe working loads (below) will provide some more information.
As an indication, the loads above can be increased (sometimes by a factor of 2) on smooth industrial surfaces using hard tread, large diameter wheels or multiple wheel sets.
Conversely, loadings need to be reduced for rough surfaces (streets, tarmac, rough ground) and inclines.
Beyond these levels, only pallet trucks, bogies or skates are to be used.
We would always recommend seeking advice on buying equipment to move heavy loads, and can be contacted on 01661 853198 to address your queries.
All repetitive activities reduce the frequency and weights that may be handled. Repetitive is defined as more than once per minute, or twenty times per hour.
The amount to reduce the weight by is lowered proportionately the nearer the weight is to the guideline maximum.
Specialist advice is recommended. Please contact us for more information.
Safe working loads refer to equipment, not people, or their ability to handle the load safely. The specified safe working load is better interpreted as an indication of durability for manual handling purposes.
Special consideration needs to be applied to the purchase of equipment for larger load handling (e.g. pallets, reels) and should include the frequency of use, the environment for use, the terrain and the operatives involved.
Equipment used should be able to take the full stated safe working load through one fewer wheels than the equipment actually has (i.e. 1 wheel on a two wheeler, 3 on a four wheeler..etc).
We would always advocate seeking advice on procuring equipment when seeking handling and movement solutions, and Engineering Solutions are in a unique position to provide that guidance, balancing your practical needs and budgetary constraints with items from our wide range of suppliers.