If you're not sure, you're not alone. Here are just some of the questions Saleem Akram received this month
Q. I am a block work subcontractor and my workers manually handle concrete blocks of varied sizes and weights. Someone has told me that there are statutory limits on what can be handled manually and I might get into trouble. What are the regulations for manual handling?

A. There are no statutory limits. The regulations offer only a guide to the loads that may be manually lifted (in a straight lift), ranging from 5kg at arm's length to 25kg held close at waist-level. If the lift has to be made sideways or requires twisting, these limits are greatly reduced. As a rule of thumb, the lifting of anything heavier than 5kg should be considered carefully.

Briefly, the HSE's guidance on the manual handling of loads is as follows.

Lifting and lowering: The load should be easy to grasp with both hands, the operation should take place in reasonable working conditions and with the handler in a stable body position. The diagram above shows the recommended weights that can be lifted and lowered for men and women. If the handler's hands enter more than one box zone during the operation, the smallest weight figures apply. The figures are also for relatively infrequent operations (up to 30 per hour).

Carrying: Similar to the guidelines for lifting and lowering. Loads should be held against the body and carried no more than 10 metres without resting.

Pushing and pulling: The guideline figures assume the force is applied with the hands between knuckle and shoulder height. The figure for starting or stopping a load is a force of about 25kg for men and 16kg for women. To keep the load in motion, the figures are 10kg and 7kg for men and women respectively. There is no distance limit, provided there are opportunities for rest or recovery.

Getting to Grips with Manual Handling (INDG143) is a free leaflet available on the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf) or from the HSE office. The HSE book Manual Handling – Guidance on Regulations (L23) contains detailed information and a risk assessment checklist, and is recommended.

Q. I am currently head of construction on a project in Barbados. I need to get a sample of timber tested to verify whether it was treated prior to use. Can you suggest where to send this in UK? Would someone like Trada do it?

A. The Building Research Establishment has a PDF document about timber testing. You can access it and other testing services information by logging onto BRE's website at www.bre.co.uk/service.jsp?id=64. For more information, contact the BRE helpdesk on 01923 664000 or email enquiries@bre.co.uk.

You can get information from the Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) by logging on to www.trada.co.uk. For technical advice, phone 01494 569601 or email information@trada.co.uk.

Q. Does the CSCS card relate directly to the employment of subcontractors by a main contractor? I have a structural engineering consultancy practice and a client is asking for a CSCS card. All my staff are employees and I do not have any subcontractors. Am I correct in saying we do not need a CSCS card?

A. Maybe not. The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is not just for subcontractors but for anybody with business on site. The Major Contractors Group aims for a fully qualified workforce by the end of 2003.

Generally the CSCS card is for operatives, supervisors and managers, but consultants who visit the site need a yellow card, which indicates that the holder has passed the health and safety test.

Depending on the nature of the work you do, your consultancy might also be categorised under the Civil and Structural Engineering Designer occupation, which has just been added to CSCS scheme.

You could call the CSCS helpdesk (01485 578777) for more information, but to answer your question they will probably ask you to write to Peter Roberts, CSCS, PO Box 114, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6XD.

Go to www.cscs.uk.com for more on CSCS. For the Major Contractors Group health and safety charter, in which CSCS requirements are described, go to www.kier.co.uk, click on Health & Safety, and download the PDF file.