Manual handling and ergonomics in the wood trades
Close to the body, bend at the knees — then your back will last a lifetime
Woodworking trades are physical work. You lift timber, carry boards, work on your knees laying floors and overhead for ceiling work. The strain is part of the trade, but wear and tear is not necessarily so. With the right technique and the right aids you can take care of your body so it lasts a whole working life — and that starts by understanding what strains it most.
§The distance from the body determines everything
The Labour Authority's guidance on lifting is based on the weight of the load and its distance from the body during lifting. The further from the back the load is held the harder the back is stressed — the same lift can be harmless close to the body and harmful with outstretched arms. Therefore the most important single rule is to keep the load close to the body.
| Distance from body | Guiding upper limit for lifting |
|---|---|
| Close to the body | Op til ca. 50 kg |
| Forearm distance | Op til ca. 30 kg |
| 3/4 arm's length | Op til ca. 15 kg |
§Long-distance bearing
If the load is to be carried while walking the limits are significantly reduced. If the load is carried over more than about 2 metres the recommended maximum weight drops — close to the body from about 50 to about 20 kg and at arm's length from about 30 to about 12 kg. When carrying the transport should also be at most about 20 metres on flat ground. Longer trips or stairs require aids or multiple people.
§Good lifting technique
- 01Bend at the knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs instead of your back
- 02Keep the load close to the body — avoid stretching your arms out
- 03Avoid twisting the back during the lift; move your feet instead.
- 04Plan the lift before you lift
- 05Share the heavy lifting with a colleague rather than straining yourself
§Assistive devices and working positions
Much of the strain can be removed with aids: plate lifters, sack trolleys, plasterboard trolleys, scissor lifts and plate trolleys save the back from the heaviest loads. With floor laying, the knees wear out, and good knee pads or knee protection are a cheap insurance against osteoarthritis. With work above head height, shoulders and neck are strained — here, scaffolding and work platforms help by bringing the work down to a good height.
Ergonomics is not about being weak — it is about being smart with your body. Craftspeople who use technique and aids can work longer with less pain and fewer sick days. It is a skill that is just as much a part of the trade as sawing straight and measuring correctly.