How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace

Was on

October

2026

5 min reading time

It’s important to prevent injuries caused by lifting heavy loads. But how do you know if you’re lifting too much? That depends on the situation. In the Netherlands, there is no legally mandated maximum weight limit for lifting. According to the NIOSH method, 23 kilograms is the recommended maximum lifting weight, but that depends on the situation. In many cases, this weight is actually lower. How does that work?

Te zwaar tillen kan zorgen voor klachten aan het hele lichaam; rug, nek, schouders, elleboog, pols en hand, knieën en heupen. Hoe zorg je er dan voor dat je niet te zwaar tilt? En hoe je, ook met lichtere gewichten, veilig kunt tillen?

Is 23 kilo het maximale tilgewicht?

Nee. De 23 kilo is geen wettelijke grens die voor iedere werksituatie geldt. Bij het bepalen van een veilig tilgewicht wordt ook gekeken naar de omstandigheden waarin je tilt.

Denk bijvoorbeeld aan:

Hoe vaak je een voorwerp tilt
Hoe ver de last van je lichaam is
Vanaf welke hoogte je tilt
Hoe ver je de last verplaatst
Of je tijdens het tillen moet draaien
Hoe goed je de last kun vastpakken

Een last van 20 kilo kan daardoor in de ene situatie veel zwaarder zijn voor je lichaam dan in de andere.

De NIOSH-methode

De NIOSH-methode is een rekenmethode waarmee het aanbevolen maximale tilgewicht in een bepaalde situatie kan worden berekend. De Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie gebruikt de NIOSH-methode als beoordelingskader. Onder ideale omstandigheden komt het maximale tilgewicht uit op 23 kilo. Hoe zwaarder of slechter de tilsituatie, hoe lager het aanbevolen gewicht.

Bereken zelf hoeveel jij mag tillen

Wil je zelf berekenen hoeveel je bij jou op de werkvloer veilig kunt tillen?

Doe de Tiltest!

Alles te weten komen over veiligheid? Luister hier naar de verhalen van uitzendkrachten over hun ervaringen met veiligheid.

Sign up for "How Many Kilograms Can You Lift?" Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace

Thank you for signing up for this webinar! You will soon receive an email from us with all the information to attend this webinar.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Stay informed

Unfortunately, "How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace" is full...

Thank you for signing up for the waitlist. As soon as a spot becomes available for this webinar we will let you know via email.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Stay informed

How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace—this has already been covered

Thanks for wanting to stay up to date! As soon as a new webinar is scheduled, we'll let you know via email.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get inspired

Stories of temporary workers living their dreams

The Power of Double-Checking

In Episode 10 of the Safety First podcast, we speak with Amir, a quality assurance specialist at a raw materials manufacturer. Their products include, for example, acetaminophen. It’s an environment where safety is truly the top priority. Despite all the rules, checks, and safety training, things still went wrong once.

Cybersecurity: How to Stay Safe Online

More and more work is being done online. You use a computer to send emails, open documents, and view data. That’s convenient, but it also comes with risks. Cybercriminals are increasingly trying to gain access to computers, accounts, and company data.

Safety First podcast: Lifting Too Much Weight

In Episode 9 of the Safety First podcast, we talk with temporary worker Mateo about physical strain in the workplace and why safe lifting is so important.

Safety First podcast: Do you dare to ask questions?

There are no stupid questions when it comes to safety! In Episode 8 of the Safety First podcast, we talk to temp worker Rob about having the courage to ask questions. What do you do when you don’t understand something? Do you ask a question, or do you try to figure it out on your own?

Feeling safe at work: why it's so important

Safety at work isn’t just about helmets, gloves, or safety instructions. Feeling mentally safe is just as important. Can you be yourself at work? Do you feel comfortable asking questions? Are you allowed to make a mistake without being laughed at? That’s what “psychological safety” is all about. In this article, we’ll explain what psychological safety is, how to recognize the signs, and what you can do about it.

Working with Different Cultures

Can you still work safely despite cultural differences in the workplace? Joey works every day with colleagues from different countries, each with their own culture, work habits, pace, and communication styles. You can hear his story in the latest episode of Safety First.

Occupational Safety and Health Day

April 28 is Workplace Safety and Health Day. On this day, we reflect on the importance of working safely and healthily. After all, everyone wants to go home at the end of the workday feeling well and without any health issues.

Listen to the latest episode of the Safety First podcast now!

Time Pressure: Working safely sometimes seems like a given. Until things get hectic. Targets, deadlines, busy coworkers… and before you know it, you skip a step. In this episode, we speak with Demi. She shares her story about how time pressure affects safety at work. And what you can do to stay in control, even when things get hectic.

Podcast Safety First now also available in English and Polish

Good news! The Safety First podcast is now also available in English and Polish. Safety First is all about real stories from temporary workers. What is going well in the workplace and what could be improved?

Listen now: Safety First, your podcast about working safely

Working safely is vitally important. That is why Doorzaam is launching a new podcast especially for temporary workers: Safety First. A series of short episodes full of recognizable situations, clear tips, and examples that relate to your daily work. The podcast is easy to listen to during your break, on your way to work, or at home on the couch. You don't need your hands to listen, so it's ideal if you want to learn something new on the go.

Getting Started

Ready to work on yourself, your future or your job prospects?

Find out within 1 minute which budget is best for you.

Take the quiz

Grow in your work and increase your job opportunities.

View our budgets

A temporary worker wearing safety glasses working on a piece of wood.

How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace

Table of contents

Is 23 kilo het maximale tilgewicht?

De NIOSH-methode

Bereken zelf hoeveel jij mag tillen

Sign up for "How Many Kilograms Can You Lift?" Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace

Unfortunately, "How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace" is full...

I want to be on the waiting list

How many kilograms can you lift? Calculate the maximum lifting weight at your workplace—this has already been covered

I want to be the first to hear about new events

Stories of temporary workers living their dreams

The Power of Double-Checking

Cybersecurity: How to Stay Safe Online

Safety First podcast: Lifting Too Much Weight

Safety First podcast: Do you dare to ask questions?

Feeling safe at work: why it's so important

Working with Different Cultures

Occupational Safety and Health Day

Listen to the latest episode of the Safety First podcast now!

Podcast Safety First now also available in English and Polish

Listen now: Safety First, your podcast about working safely

Ready to work on yourself, your future or your job prospects?

Find out within 1 minute which budget is best for you.

Grow in your work and increase your job opportunities.