R128 - Maximum Weight Recommendation, 1967 (No. 128)

I. Definition and Scope

1. 1. For the purpose of this Recommendation--
   • (a) the term manual transport of loads means any transport in which the weight of the load is wholly borne by one worker; it covers the lifting and putting down of loads;
   • (b) the term regular manual transport of loads means any activity which is continuously or principally devoted to the manual transport of loads, or which normally includes, even though intermittently, the manual transport of loads;
   • (c) the term young worker means a worker under 18 years of age.
2. 2. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Recommendation applies both to regular and to occasional manual transport of loads other than light loads.
3. 3. This Recommendation applies to all branches of economic activity.

II. General Principle

1. 4. No worker should be required or permitted to engage in the manual transport of a load which by reason of its weight is likely to jeopardise his health or safety.

III. Training and Instructions

1. 5.
   • (1) Any worker assigned to regular manual transport of loads should, prior to such assignment, receive adequate training or instruction in working techniques, with a view to safeguarding health and preventing accidents.
   • (2) Such training or instruction should include methods of lifting, carrying, putting down, unloading and stacking of different types of loads, and should be given by suitably qualified persons or institutions.
   • (3) Such training or instruction should, wherever practicable, be followed up by supervision on the job to ensure that the correct methods are used.
2. 6. Any worker occasionally assigned to manual transport of loads should be given appropriate instructions on the manner in which such operations may be safely carried out.

IV. Medical Examinations

1. 7. A medical examination for fitness for employment should, as far as practicable and appropriate, be required before assignment to regular manual transport of loads.
2. 8. Further medical examinations should be made from time to time as necessary.
3. 9. Regulations concerning the examinations provided for in Paragraphs 7 and 8 of this Recommendation should be made by the competent authority.
4. 10. The examination provided for in Paragraph 7 of this Recommendation should be certified. The certificate should refer only to fitness for employment and should not contain medical data.

V. Technical Devices and Packaging

1. 11. In order to limit or to facilitate the manual transport of loads, suitable technical devices should be used as much as possible.
2. 12. The packaging of loads which may be transported manually should be compact and of suitable material and should, as far as possible and appropriate, be equipped with devices for holding and so designed as not to create risk of injury; for example, it should not have sharp edges, projections or rough surfaces.

VI. Maximum Weight

1. 13. In the application of this Part of this Recommendation, Members should take account of--
   • (a) physiological characteristics, environmental conditions and the nature of the work to be done;
   • (b) any other conditions which may influence the health and safety of the worker.

A. Adult Male Workers

1. 14. Where the maximum permissible weight which may be transported manually by one adult male worker is more than 55 kg., measures should be taken as speedily as possible to reduce it to that level.

B. Women Workers

1. 15. Where adult women workers are engaged in the manual transport of loads, the maximum weight of such loads should be substantially less than that permitted for adult male workers.
2. 16. As far as possible, adult women workers should not be assigned to regular manual transport of loads.
3. 17. Where adult women workers are assigned to regular manual transport of loads, provision should be made--
   • (a) as appropriate, to reduce the time spent on actual lifting, carrying and putting down of loads by such workers;
   • (b) to prohibit the assignment of such workers to certain specified jobs, comprised in manual transport of loads, which are especially arduous.
4. 18. No woman should be assigned to manual transport of loads during a pregnancy which has been medically determined or during the ten weeks following confinement if in the opinion of a qualified physician such work is likely to impair her health or that of her child.

C. Young Workers

1. 19. Where young workers are engaged in the manual transport of loads, the maximum weight of such loads should be substantially less than that permitted for adult workers of the same sex.
2. 20. As far as possible, young workers should not be assigned to regular manual transport of loads.
3. 21. Where the minimum age for assignment to manual transport of loads is less than 16 years, measures should be taken as speedily as possible to raise it to that level.
4. 22. The minimum age for assignment to regular manual transport of loads should be raised, with a view to attaining a minimum age of 18 years.
5. 23. Where young workers are assigned to regular manual transport of loads, provision should be made--
   • (a) as appropriate, to reduce the time spent on actual lifting, carrying and putting down of loads by such workers;
   • (b) to prohibit the assignment of such workers to certain specified jobs, comprised in manual transport of loads, which are especially arduous.

VII. Other Measures to Protect Health and Safety

1. 24. On the basis of medical opinion and taking account of all the relevant conditions of the work, the competent authority should endeavour to ensure that the exertion required in a working day or shift of workers assigned to manual transport of loads is not likely to jeopardise the health or safety of such workers.
2. 25. Such appropriate devices and equipment as may be necessary to safeguard the health and safety of workers engaged in manual transport of loads should be provided or made available to such workers and should be used by them.

VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions

1. 26. The training or instruction and the medical examinations provided for in its Recommendation should not involve the worker in any expense.
2. 27. The competent authority should actively promote scientific research, including ergonomic studies, concerning the manual transport of loads, with the object, inter alia, of--
   • (a) determining the relationship, if any, between occupational diseases and disorders and manual transport of loads; and
   • (b) minimising the hazards to health and safety of workers engaged in the manual transport of loads.
3. 28. Where methods of transportation of goods by pulling and pushing are prevalent which impose physical strain analogous to that involved in the manual transport of loads, the competent authority may give consideration to the application to such work of such provisions of this Recommendation as may be appropriate.
4. 29. Each Member should, by laws or regulations or any other method consistent with national practice and conditions and in consultation with the most representative organisations of employers and workers concerned, take such steps as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Recommendation.
5. 30. Members may permit exceptions to the application of particular provisions of this Recommendation, after consultation with the national inspection service and with the most representative organisations of employers and workers concerned, where the circumstances of the work or the nature of the loads require such exceptions; for every exception or category of exceptions the limits of the derogation should be specified.
6. 31. Each Member should, in accordance with national practice, specify the person or persons on whom the obligation of compliance with the provisions of this Recommendation rests as well as the authority responsible for the supervision of the application of these provisions.