Asbestos FAQs
Asbestos removalists - how can I find a suitable one?
Asbestos - where is it and how to deal with it
Asbestos - where can I dispose of asbestos waste?
Renters and Asbestos
Dust masks - how effective are they?
Consultants
Electrical Safety
Double adaptors and powerboards - can they be used in workplaces?
Electrical cords and extension leads
Electrical Equipment - What are the laws/guidelines?
Welding - what are the issues?
Workplace and amenities
Heat: When is it too hot
Toilet facilities - what should workplaces have?
Change rooms and other facilities
Lighting - I think my workplace is too dark
Dining facilities - what must employers provide?
Offices - what OHS legislation applies?
Offices - computers and eyesight
Office space
Workstations and seating
First Aid Kits
First Aid - what are the requirements
Fire Escapes - what are the rules?
Steps and Stairs
Offices: Temperature and humidity - what are the 'rules'?
Breaks for computer/VDU users?
Perfumes and scents: chemicals too!
Drinking water
Office Hazards: Computers and VDUs - what are the guidelines?
Stepladders
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
FAQs for OHS Reps
OHS reps and deputies
OHS Rep's term of office
Renegotiating DWGs - who should be involved?
DWGs - How big is too big?
Multiple reps or deputies - which is better?
Should reps be paid to be reps?
OHS Reps' Right to Training FAQS
Issuing a PIN - how long must I wait?
A PIN: How to use it
My PIN is cancelled - what can I do?
Inspectors and PINs
Must my employer pass on the inspector's paperwork?
Health and Safety Committees - what is their role?
Discrimination and harassment
Privacy legislation
Fifteen things every unionist should know about OHS
Volunteers in the workplace
A death at the workplace
Discrimination for OHS reasons
Facilities and Time Off
I've been given a duty statement..
Can a worker be dismissed for OHS reasons?
Presenteeism - what is it?
Workers and medical appointments
Consultants
What if inspectors don't visit my workplace?
FAQs for Workers
Right to refuse unsafe work
Rest/meal breaks - what am I entitled to?
Working alone – is it legal, is it safe?
Workers' Compensation: What are your rights?
Are there standards for reflective gear?
Red Cards
Young workers and OHS
Hard Hats - do they last for ever?
What your doctor needs to know
Presenteeism - what is it?
Ladders - What are the Rules and Regulations?
OHS Induction Training
Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
Workers and medical appointments
Workstations and seating
Dust masks - how effective are they?
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?
Volunteers in the workplace
Renegotiating DWGs - who should be involved?
DWGs - How big is too big?
Health and Safety Committees - what is their role?
Can a worker be dismissed for OHS reasons?
Discrimination and harassment
Consultants
Other
Consultants
Volunteers in the workplace
Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
Stepladders
Ladders - What are the Rules and Regulations?
Office Hazards: Computers and VDUs - what are the guidelines?
Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
Licences
Forklift Safety
Exposure Standards - what are they?
OHS Reps
  • About
  • Ask Renata
  • Hazards
  • OHS Training
  • Law & Rights
    Law & Rights Law Rights
  • HSR Support
    HSR Support Tool Kit Union Contact List Contact OHS Unit HSR Conference 2020 - Risks to Psychological Health EBA Clause Library Your industry
  • Campaigns
  • SafetyNet
    SafetyNet Journal Articles Current Issue SafetyNet Archive
  • FAQ (current)
    FAQ Asbestos FAQs Electrical Safety Workplace and amenities FAQs for OHS Reps FAQs for Workers Other
  • Join Us
Asbestos FAQs
Asbestos removalists - how can I find a suitable one?
Asbestos - where is it and how to deal with it
Asbestos - where can I dispose of asbestos waste?
Renters and Asbestos
Dust masks - how effective are they?
Consultants
Electrical Safety
Double adaptors and powerboards - can they be used in workplaces?
Electrical cords and extension leads
Electrical Equipment - What are the laws/guidelines?
Welding - what are the issues?
Workplace and amenities
Heat: When is it too hot
Toilet facilities - what should workplaces have?
Change rooms and other facilities
Lighting - I think my workplace is too dark
Dining facilities - what must employers provide?
Offices - what OHS legislation applies?
Offices - computers and eyesight
Office space
Workstations and seating
First Aid Kits
First Aid - what are the requirements
Fire Escapes - what are the rules?
Steps and Stairs
Offices: Temperature and humidity - what are the 'rules'?
Breaks for computer/VDU users?
Perfumes and scents: chemicals too!
Drinking water
Office Hazards: Computers and VDUs - what are the guidelines?
Stepladders
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
FAQs for OHS Reps
OHS reps and deputies
OHS Rep's term of office
Renegotiating DWGs - who should be involved?
DWGs - How big is too big?
Multiple reps or deputies - which is better?
Should reps be paid to be reps?
OHS Reps' Right to Training FAQS
Issuing a PIN - how long must I wait?
A PIN: How to use it
My PIN is cancelled - what can I do?
Inspectors and PINs
Must my employer pass on the inspector's paperwork?
Health and Safety Committees - what is their role?
Discrimination and harassment
Privacy legislation
Fifteen things every unionist should know about OHS
Volunteers in the workplace
A death at the workplace
Discrimination for OHS reasons
Facilities and Time Off
I've been given a duty statement..
Can a worker be dismissed for OHS reasons?
Presenteeism - what is it?
Workers and medical appointments
Consultants
What if inspectors don't visit my workplace?
FAQs for Workers
Right to refuse unsafe work
Rest/meal breaks - what am I entitled to?
Working alone – is it legal, is it safe?
Workers' Compensation: What are your rights?
Are there standards for reflective gear?
Red Cards
Young workers and OHS
Hard Hats - do they last for ever?
What your doctor needs to know
Presenteeism - what is it?
Ladders - What are the Rules and Regulations?
OHS Induction Training
Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
Workers and medical appointments
Workstations and seating
Dust masks - how effective are they?
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?
Volunteers in the workplace
Renegotiating DWGs - who should be involved?
DWGs - How big is too big?
Health and Safety Committees - what is their role?
Can a worker be dismissed for OHS reasons?
Discrimination and harassment
Consultants
Other
Consultants
Volunteers in the workplace
Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?
Working from Heights - what are the regulations?
Stepladders
Ladders - What are the Rules and Regulations?
Office Hazards: Computers and VDUs - what are the guidelines?
Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
Licences
Forklift Safety
Exposure Standards - what are they?
  1. Home
  2. FAQ
  3. Other
  4. Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?

Weight limits - what are the legal limits for lifting?

The short answer to this is "There aren't any" - Part 3.1 (Hazardous Manual Handling) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2017) does not have either weight or maximum force limits. But this does not mean that workers can be directed to lift heavy weights.

The Regulations require the employer to identify any task which involves hazardous manual handling, and then take actions to either eliminate or reduce the hazard and/or the associated risks.

The definition of 'hazardous manual handling' in the Regulations is as follows:

  1. Hazardous manual handling means work requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain -
    • a thing if the work involves one or more of the following -
      • repetitive or sustained application of force;
      • sustained awkward posture;
      • repetitive movement;
      • application of high force involving a single or repetitive use of force that it would be reasonable to expect that a person in the workforce may have difficulty undertaking;
      • exposure to sustained vibration;
    • live persons or animals;
    • unstable or unbalanced loads or loads which are difficult to grasp or hold.
  2. Musculoskeletal disorder means an injury, illness or disease that arises in whole or in part from hazardous manual handling, whether occurring suddenly or over a prolonged period of time, but does not include an injury caused by crushing, entrapment or cutting resulting primarily from the mechanical operation of plant.

Basically, this means that any weight or force may be a risk to a worker, depending on factors such as posture, frequency, duration, actions and movements, and so on.

Obviously, the greater the force exerted, the greater the risk and workers and OHS Reps should raise this as an issue.

For more information, contact your union.

See also:

  • More extensive Strains and Sprains section of site
  • The summary of Part 3.1 Hazardous Manual Handling, on this site

Last updated July 2017

SafetyNet

Please complete the form below to subscribe to the SafetyNET Journal email newsletter.


Ask Renata

Please send in your occupational health and safety questions to Renata. We will respond within a few days.
Ask a question

OHS Training at Victorian Trades Hall Council

The Victorian Trades Hall Council's OHS Training Unit is one of the most experienced training providers in Victoria. We provide training in multiple locations around Melbourne's suburbs as well as across regional Victoria.
OHS training

YES! I’LL FIGHT FOR
HEALTH AND SAFETY!


Copyright 2015 Victorian Trades Hall Council|Authorised by Luke Hilakari, Secretary,
Victorian Trades Hall Council 54 Victoria Street South Carlton 3053.

Contact | Sitemap | Privacy Statement

Created by Code Nation using NationBuilder