Are there guidelines for manual handling?

Manual handling guidelines for pushing and pulling

Manual handling is part of daily work in many sectors. Without proper guidance, tasks like pushing and pulling can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, and high injury and absenteeism rates. ISO 11228-2:2022 provides internationally recognized ergonomic guidance and indicative force limits for safe pushing and pulling, helping organizations create healthier workplaces. Grounded in scientific research, it sets indicative ergonomic force values to help organizations create healthier, safer workplaces.

What is ISO 11228-2:2022?

ISO 11228-2:2022 is the international standard for safe pushing and pulling in manual handling. It defines limits for both:

• Peak forces: the effort required to start, stop, or change direction
• Sustained forces: the effort required to keep equipment or loads moving

These limits are adjusted based on factors such as: operator characteristics, push height and direction, route length, task frequency, and environmental conditions (floor quality, space, slopes).

Why do pushing and pulling guidelines matter?

Ignoring safe limits can result in:

• Overloading muscles and joints, causing injuries to the back, shoulders, knees, and wrists
• Reduced employee well-being and productivity
• Increased absenteeism and employee turnover

By following ergonomic guidelines for pushing and pulling, organizations not only protect employees but also improve productivity and reduce long-term costs.

When should manual handling guidelines be applied?

Pushing and pulling guidelines should be applied whenever employees:

• Move heavy equipment, carts, trolleys, roll cages, or beds
• Handle heavy materials in industrial, logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing environments
• Perform repetitive handling tasks

Essentially, any activity involving manual force to move loads should be assessed against the ISO 11228-2 recommendations.

Does your organization work according to ISO 11228-2?

Who benefits from these guidelines?

For employers & safety managers

• Improved risk assessments
• Compliance with international ergonomics standards
• Better workplace design

For workers

• Warehouse & logistics employees handling carts, pallets and trolleys
• Industrial workers operating or maneuvering equipment
• Healthcare and hospitality employees moving beds, carts, trolleys, or patients

Industries where pushing and pulling guidelines apply

• Healthcare: patient handling, patient lifts, beds, trolleys, and medical equipment
• Logistics & Warehousing: carts, pallets, and order-picking equipment
• Manufacturing & Industry: manoevering heavy machinery or tools
• Hospitality & Services: catering carts, laundry, cleaning equipment,
• E-mobility & Transport: handling mobile products, wheelchairs, or e-carts

Why pushing and pulling guidelines matter in healthcare

Creating safer workplaces through ergonomics

By applying pushing and pulling guidelines from ISO 11228-2, organizations can reduce injury risks, improve comfort, and support long-term employee health. Solutions such as ergonomic tools and supportive technologies like electric drive wheels can help ensure that employees stay within recommended ergonomic force values.

How an electric drive wheel reduces push and pull forces