We have created the following resources for people interested in manual handling regulations and risk assessment tools for EU member states. Find your country right below and follow the link for specific information pertaining to your country.
Austria
Find to-the-point info on the manual handling authority in Austria, the Labour Inspectorate (die Arbeitsinspektion) and the law for occupational safety and health, the Safety and Protection of Health at Work Act (das ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz), plus links to ergonomic risk assessment tools for lifting, holding and carrying. See also recommended weight limits for lifting in Austria.
Denmark
A brief word on the authority (Arbejdstilsynet) responsible for writing up ergonomic guidelines and for enforcing the manual handling regulations in Denmark. Find also the recommended weight limits for lifting and carrying in Denmark plus guidelines for pushing and pulling loads on wheels.
France
Easy-to-digest material on the authorities (Ministère du Travail and COCT) and legislations (the French Labour Code and the French Norm NF X35-109) on manual handling in France. Also maximum weight limits for lifting, pushing and pulling and links to simple manual handling risk assessment tools so you can perform your own ergonomic risk analysis at work.
Germany
A short introduction to the main occupational safety and health authorities in Germany (NOSHC, BAuA) plus a delineation of employers’ manual handling responsibilities (found in the Lastenhandhabungsverordnung) and insights into the ergonomic risk assessment tool, the Leitmerkmalmethode, for lifting, holding, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Ireland
Get a quick overview of how the manual handling regulations work in Ireland, the role of HSA, and what you need to do and be aware of as an employer. Find also ergonomic guidelines, a list of risk factors and links to risk assessments tools for lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing and pulling loads at work.
Italy
Find to-the-point information on some of the main authorities (e.g. INAIL) in the field of occupational safety and health in Italy. Also insights into the manual handling employer responsibilities, weight limits for lifting at work, and follow links out to ergonomic risk assessment information and tools for lifting and carrying.
Netherlands
Sharp insights into how the legislative system of safety and health works (Arbowet, Arbobesluit, Arboregeling, Inspectie SZW, and the Arbo Catalogue) when it comes to manual handling in the Netherlands. Find relevant links to lifting guidelines and ergonomic tools for risk assessing manual handling operations. Also a presentation of weight limits and other threshold values for lifting.
Portugal
Read about the main authority (ACT) responsible for occupational safety and health in Portugal. Get insights into Portuguese law regarding your duties as an employer if manual handling occurs in your workplace and the maximum recommended weight limits for lifting. Find links to ergonomic guidelines for manual handling and correct lifting techniques.
Spain
Get insights into the system for occupational safety and health in Spain and read about the main authority, INSSBT, who is responsible for communicating about manuel handling. Learn what your employer responsibilities are and find ergonomic guidelines, risk assessment tools and weight limits for lifting and force limits for pushing and pulling.
Sweden
Find quick words on the main authority (Arbetsmiljöverket) responsible for communicating and enforcing manual handling regulations in Sweden. Also insights into ergonomic guidelines, risk assessment tools and weight limits for lifting and force limits pushing and pulling loads.
Other European Countries (not EU)
Norway
Insights into the authority (Arbeidstilsynet) managing and the law (Arbeidsmiljøloven) pertaining to manual handling in Norway. Find among other things, ergonomic guidelines and good practices to manually handling loads, weight lifting limits to lifting, pushing and pulling at work and ergonomic risk assessment tools.
Switzerland
A brief introduction to the relevant authorities in the field of occupational safety and health (Federal Counsel, FCOS, SUVA and SECO) in Switzerland. Also links out to lifting guides and ergonomic risk assessment tools for lifting, holding, carrying, pushing and pulling in both German, French and Italian.
UK
Find UK employer guidelines (e.g. the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) publication: Manual handling. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992) on how to comply with the regulations for the manual handling of loads. Also find links to risk assessment tools for lifting, lowering and carrying (MAC tool) as well as pushing and pulling (RAPP tool).
Other Countries (not U.S. or Europe)
Australia
Quick insights into the main authority (SWA) and the model WHS laws (acts, regulations and code of practices) relevant for manual handling in Australia. Discover your responsibilities as an employer and read about the typical risk factors in lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling operations. Find also links to Australian ergonomic risk assessment tools.
Canada
A quick introduction to the main authority for safety and health in Canada, CCOHS and the main employer legislative obligations for manual handling. Also ergonomic guidelines to safe lifting, pushing and pulling and links to risk assessment tools for lifting (CCOHS’ NIOSH lifting equation calculator and the WorkSafe BC lifting calculator).
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