EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00096

I would appreciate any information on maximum weights for individual packs, from an ergonomic viewpoint. Having searched through various literature articles and journals, I haven't found any references to this so far.
Pauline Keogan - Dublin.

Dear Pauline,

The Dutch guidelines " Steriliseren en Steriliteit" advise the following weights for sterilization-technical reasons:

• Textile packs: maximum weight 6 kg,
• Instrument sets without packaging material: maximum weight 8,5 kg.

These weights are certainly within the ergonomical limits i've found in "Productergonomie" by Hans Dirken:

age	15	18	25	40
man	15 kg	21 kg	25 kg	21 kg
woman	10 kg	13 kg	15 kg	13 kg

On the "National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health" website: www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html you can find excellent information on this and other subjects.

Best regards,
Wim Renders

Pauline,

www.arbobondgenoten.nl/arbothem/lichblst/lift.htm gives you a formula to calculate the maximum lift weights. Although the information is in Dutch, it is interesting to have a look.

Wim Renders

Dear Wim,
Thanks for the information. It's certainly helpful.

Kind regards,
Pauline Keogan