Handling Kerbs and Paving

Kerbs and paving slabs are among the heaviest items regularly handled manually on construction sites.
A standard concrete kerb weighs approximately 65kg and a paving flag can weigh 25-50kg depending on size and thickness.
Manual handling of kerbs causes a disproportionate number of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly to the lower back.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require mechanical aids to be used wherever reasonably practicable.
Vacuum kerb lifters, grab tools, and mini cranes significantly reduce the manual handling risk for kerb laying work.
Team lifting of kerbs requires coordination — one person must lead and give clear instructions throughout the lift.
Repetitive kerb laying involves sustained bending, twisting, and lifting that causes cumulative spinal damage over time.
Gloves with good grip are essential — dropping a kerb on your foot or hand from even a short height causes fractures.
Kerbs stored on pallets must be offloaded using mechanical means and positioned close to the laying area to reduce carrying.
Toolbox talks on manual handling technique should be refreshed regularly for teams involved in sustained kerb and paving work.

Career-ending injuries	Repetitive kerb handling is one of the most common causes of chronic back injury in construction — mechanical aids prevent this.
Heavy and awkward	A 65kg kerb exceeds any safe individual lifting weight — team lifts and mechanical aids are not optional, they are essential.
Cumulative damage	Even correct technique cannot fully protect against the cumulative effect of handling hundreds of kerbs per shift — aids reduce the load.

Do

Don't

Use vacuum kerb lifters, grab tools, or mini cranes wherever they are available.
Team lift kerbs with a minimum of two people using coordinated instructions.
Plan the lift — check weight, grip points, and destination before picking up.
Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and hold the kerb close to your body.
Wear gloves with good grip to prevent the kerb slipping during handling.
Position kerb pallets close to the laying area to minimise carrying distances.
Offload kerb pallets mechanically — do not lift kerbs from pallets by hand unnecessarily.
Rotate tasks regularly so the same workers are not laying kerbs all day.
Take scheduled breaks to allow muscles to recover from sustained heavy handling.
Report any back pain, strain, or discomfort before it becomes a serious injury.

DON'T lift kerbs alone — they exceed safe individual handling weight limits.
DON'T carry kerbs manually when vacuum lifters or mechanical aids are available.
DON'T rush the lift — plan the weight, grip, and route before picking up.
DON'T bend from the waist or twist while lifting or placing kerbs.
DON'T handle kerbs without gloves — a dropped kerb causes broken bones instantly.
DON'T carry kerbs long distances — position materials close to the work area.
DON'T lift kerbs from pallets manually when the excavator or telehandler can offload.
DON'T continue laying kerbs for an entire shift without rotating to other tasks.
DON'T work through muscle fatigue — tired workers make handling mistakes that cause injury.
DON'T ignore back pain — report it early before a minor strain becomes permanent damage.

See also: Manual Handling Awareness | Vacuum Lifters for Kerbs & Paving

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Toolbox Talk Record