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Debunking the “20-pound rule”: Why weight isn’t the only risk in manual lifting

"Is it under 20 pounds? Then it’s fine to lift."
 That myth has lived too long on factory floors.

In reality, the dangers of manual palletizing aren’t just about how much your team lifts—but how often, how far, and how awkwardly. The so-called “20-pound rule” overlooks the cumulative toll of repetitive motion, poor posture, and non-stop shifts. And for food and beverage manufacturers, that can mean rising injury risks hiding in plain sight.

Let’s unpack why weight alone is a misleading metric—and what to focus on instead.

Samuel Bouchard
By Samuel Bouchard
on Jun 10, 2025 in Automation. 3 min read time
Debunking the “20-pound rule”: Why weight isn’t the only risk in manual lifting

"Is it under 20 pounds? Then it’s fine to lift." That myth has lived too long on factory floors.In reality, the dangers of...

Samuel Bouchard
By Samuel Bouchard
on Jun 10, 2025
Read more 3 min read time
What is the NIOSH Composite Lifting Index?

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From injury to innovation: Why manual palletizing is ripe for automation

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Josh Davis
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on May 22, 2025
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Musculoskeletal injuries don’t always show up on the production report—but they hit hard where it hurts: your workforce, your...

Samuel Bouchard
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on May 15, 2025
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Economic uncertainty, rising tariffs, and ongoing labor challenges are making it harder than ever for food manufacturers to...

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on May 13, 2025
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Manufacturing operations are under constant pressure to deliver more with less, making cobot solutions a fast track to...

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