Guidelines For Supervisors – Ensuring Safe Lifting
and Manual Material Handling in the Workplace
2
310-BJS-03-IGPA © 2022, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Critical Questions to Assess Safe Lifting and Manual
Material Handling Factors
Coach staff to ask these questions BEFORE they lift/move:
Who is doing the lifting/moving (person)?
Am I strong enough to manage the lift/move alone?
Is my height a factor? (i.e., "Am I trying to lift/move something from an overhead shelf?")
Am I already fatigued from other tasks?
Do I need protective equipment?
What is being lifted/moved (object)?
What is the weight of the object?
How much force is required to lift/move it?
What is the shape of it?
Is the object stable?
Is the object hot or cold?
Does the object have sharp edges?
Can I get a grip on the object easily?
Can I see where I'm going while carrying the object?
What is the lifting/moving task?
How long will the lift/move take?
How far will the object be carried?
Does the lift/move require an awkward posture, twisting or bending?
What are the demands associated with the task (i.e., time pressure)?
Will this lift/move be repeated often?
If the lift/move will be repeated, will there be time to rest between lifts/moves?
Is help available if necessary (another person or equipment)?
Where is the lift/move taking place (environment)?
Are the floors slippery or uneven?
Is there enough light to see what I am doing?
Is the environment very hot or cold?
Are there any obstacles in the way?
Does the workplace layout make the task more difficult than it should be?
Is the workplace noisy?
