Posted By m giles I recently attended a meeting where a HSE inspector advised my client that the guide loads published in the guidance the the manual handling regulations were maximum loads that could not be exceeded. Has anyone else had experience of the HSE referring to the guide loads in this manner or is this an isolated case? Martin CMIOSH

Posted By mike morland I am often asked by my colleagues on the ruling of maximum weight an individual should be allowed to lift, and they also refer to the diagram in Appendix 1 of the MHOR Guidance Notes. However, it should be noted that the diagram is a 'guideline' which explains that an individual can normally operate at their own 'maximum capability' to lift something if the object is held closer to the body. Beyond that it is down to assessment based on making 'LITE' work of it all. Load - is it heavy, bulky, etc. Individual - strength, height, age, physical ability / disability, pregnant, health problems etc Task - bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, distance to be carried etc Environment - level or uneven floor, sloping or slippery, lighting, temperature, weather conditions etc You get the jist..... My own 2-hour in-house training sessions clearly demonstrate this to those attending as they need to appreciate not only their own capabilities but equally our own physical limitations. Regards

Posted By Holly McDermott Martin No not had this before but it does not surprise me. Your HSE inspector is wrong simple as that. Last year one of my clients were issued an improvement notice, which in my opinion was unreasonable and impracticable. We did not appeal through the tribunal but pestered the HSE officer at every opportunity. In the end the office in question sent a second officer who agreed with what we were saying (in a professional way without dissing his colleague) Gone a bit off track but it is another example of the HSE officers lack of knowledge in certain areas.