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Manual handling injuries – many of which arise from lifting tasks – are common workplace injuries and can result in much pain and disability.
It is not really useful to think in terms of weight limits for women, or for men. Limits will depend on many factors, including the object to be lifted (including if the object is a person), the circumstances in which the lifting would take place, for example, in an awkward space, in awkward position/s, how many objects have to be lifted over what length of time and the pace of the work.
Generally, if a person feels they are unable to do the lifting task, then that is the limit. People should not be required (by employers) to put themselves at risk of injury by lifting or doing other manual handling tasks, which are beyond their capacity – whether the task is too heavy, too repetitive, too fast, too awkward, etc.
Employers are required to provide a working environment free from manual handling hazards, including hazardous lifting tasks. This means employers should organise the work and provide appropriate equipment, so that people are not required to undertake lifting tasks which are a risk to health and safety.
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