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Health and safety
Is there a legal weight limit for lifting at work?
The short answer
No. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations don't set weight limits. HSE publishes guideline weights to help spot low-risk lifts, for example up to 25kg for men and 16kg for women when the load is held close to the body between knuckle and elbow height, but these are not safe limits.
Last checked 25 September 2026 against official guidance · see the sources.
HSE guideline weights for lifting and lowering
These come from HSE’s lifting and lowering risk filter. They assume the load is easy to grip with both hands, the worker is in a stable position and conditions are reasonable.
| Where the hands are | Men: close / arms out | Women: close / arms out |
|---|---|---|
| Above shoulder height | 10kg / 5kg | 7kg / 3kg |
| Elbow to shoulder height | 20kg / 10kg | 13kg / 7kg |
| Knuckle to elbow height | 25kg / 15kg | 16kg / 10kg |
| Mid lower leg to knuckle height | 20kg / 10kg | 13kg / 7kg |
| Below mid lower leg | 10kg / 5kg | 7kg / 3kg |
If the hands pass through more than one zone during the lift, use the smallest figure.
When you need a fuller assessment
- The weight is above the figures in the table.
- The lift involves twisting.
- It happens more often than about once every two minutes.
- It’s a team lift, or the task is complicated.
- The person lifting may be at extra risk, for example they are pregnant or have a health condition.
In kitchens the usual culprits are sacks of flour and potatoes, full stock pots, crates of drinks and deliveries stored at floor level.
Official sources
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