Weightlifting Restrictions for the ADA

When employees experience debilitating injuries, their jobs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a civil rights law that was enacted in 1990 in order to prevent discrimination based on disability. A "disability," defined by the ADA, is "[A] a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; or [B] a record of such impairment; or [C] being regarded as having such an impairment."

  1. Weight Limit

    • Having a job that requires you to consistently lift heavy objects can potentially lead to injury. In the event that a worker in such a position is injured, his ability to perform essential job duties can be stripped away. In these instances, it is the duty of the ADA to ensure that these employees are not terminated solely because of injury. A problem arises, however, due to the fact that the ADA has no specified standard for the amount of weight an injured person can lift, while still being considered "disabled."

    According to the ADA

    • The ADA declares that a worker has to be "significantly restricted in ability to perform ... a class of jobs ... compared to the average person with comparable training, skills and abilities." So in order to receive protection, the worker must not be able to perform as well as the "average" person. Such a rule is ambiguous, seeing as there is no clear definition of "average." Furthermore, a worker who can no longer lift heavy weights may not be protected by the ADA because, "The inability to perform a single, particular job does not constitute a substantial limitation in the major life activity of working."

    Lifting Restriction

    • To constitute a "disability" according to the ADA, a lifting requirement must be issued that states the individual incapable of lifting 25 pounds. This has been demonstrated in the court case Williams V Channel Master Satellite Systems Inc. (No. 96-1072.) in which the jury decided that an average person in the general population can lift 25 pounds, therefore meaning an injured employee who can lift 25 pounds does not qualify as disabled.

    Final Thoughts

    • When it comes to jobs that require heavy lifting, the ADA does not have specific regulations. Injuries in this line of work can mean termination. As it currently stands, it appears that some employers are able to take advantage of the ambiguity presented in the ADA regarding lifting restrictions.