Safety checklist — Manual handling
Lifting and carrying loads by hand. Based on Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before handling
10 items- ✓
PPE worn: handling gloves, steel-toed boots
- ✓
Load weight assessed — mechanical aid if > 23 kg (CNESST recommendation)
ℹ️ CNESST recommendation — use mechanical aid whenever possible
- ✓
Path clear and obstacle-free — floor level and non-slip
- ✓
Mechanical aid available: dolly, cart, jib crane, hoist
- ✓
Load stable and grippable — handles or grip points identified
- ✓
Back straight, bend knees, load close to body
- ✓
No trunk twisting — pivot with feet
- ✓
Long loads (pipes, bars): two coordinated people
- ✓
Alternate tasks to reduce muscle fatigue
- ✓
Visibility ensured — don't block your view with the load
After handling
3 items- ✓
Load set down stable and secure
- ✓
Pain or discomfort reported promptly (MSD prevention)
- ✓
Drop-off zone clear and accessible
13 verification items — use this checklist on-site with the app
Use on-site — freePDF reports, history and team management in the app
For information only — this is not legal advice. OK Sécurité is an independent company with no affiliation to the CNESST: we are not mandated, endorsed or certified by it. Completing a checklist here does not by itself establish your compliance — your exact obligations depend on your job site and your prevention program. Where there is any discrepancy, the official text published by Légis Québec or the CNESST prevails.
More checklists — Cross-cutting Situations
More safety checklists
Risks and prevention — Manual handling
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from manual handling represent the most common injury category in Québec construction. LSST 51 requires eliminating hazards, including musculoskeletal ones. RSST does not write a named “mechanize handling” duty for construction sites.
Risk factors include: load weight, lifting frequency, carrying distance, awkward postures (twisting, bending), and environmental conditions (uneven ground, clutter). Carts, dollies, hoists, and lift-assist equipment should be used whenever possible.
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