Photos of Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina taken during the Great Cleanup have circulated around the world and raised numerous questions.
One of the questions is as follows:
How many kg can a woman lift during a work shift worldwide and in Latvia, in particular?
Of course, Evika Silina, participating in the Great Cleanup, was searching for and collecting trash on a voluntary basis; however, considering her photos with bags, near the microphone, and communicating with representatives of the public and the National Armed Forces of Latvia, it can be said that she completed her work shift. Although in a shortened mode, she did work.
Did she overexert herself? What does the experience of other countries say?
For example, in Belarus, there are weight restrictions for women whose work involves manual handling of loads. The maximum weight for lifting and moving throughout the work shift is 7 kg.
If the work with heavy items alternates with other tasks (no more than twice an hour), the permissible weight increases to 10 kg.
Interestingly, in Latvia, as reported by all-knowing artificial intelligence, approximately the same norms apply, regulated by "Darba aizsardzības prasības, pārvietojot smagumus" (Occupational Safety Requirements for Moving Loads), approved by the Cabinet of Ministers (former rules No. 344, operating under the Labor Protection Law).
The maximum allowable norms for women (including the weight of containers):
When working continuously in a shift: it is permitted to lift and manually move no more than 7–10 kg.
When alternating with other work (rare lifting): it is permitted to lift no more than 15 kg no more than 2 times an hour.
The total weight of loads throughout the shift must not exceed 2500 kg.
We hope that Evika Silina complied with the Labor Protection Law, and we wish the same for you, our dear, beloved women! Whether in the gardens, promotional photos, or at the workplace. Wishing you good health!
