How much weight is an employee allowed to lift in the workplace?
Although lifting limitations are not regulated by OSHA, proper lifting techniques must be addressed in a sound ergonomics/back injury prevention program. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers an equation whereby one can determine an employee’s lifting limitation based on factors, such as, height, age, weight, etc. There has been an on-going effort by NIOSH to determine whether back support belts help lifting techniques. Recent studies suggest that these belts are effective.
