Human Safety Episode 2.

Safe Working Load — Of the Human Body

Author: Razzak Osemobor

Safe Working Load — Of the Human Body

There is an aspect of safety that many often overlook, and that is the safe working load. Where is this taking us? Could I be referring to the safe working load for cranes and other lifting equipment?

No, please! This is far from that. I’m talking about the safe working load of the human body.

Understanding BMI

Many people regularly check their vital signs—blood pressure, sugar levels, or heart rate—while others don't at all. Yet, understanding and monitoring key health indicators is essential to living a healthy, balanced life.

One such vital metric is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which evaluates an individual’s weight in relation to their height:

BMI = weight / (height × height) (kg/m²)

BMI Classification Table

Category BMI Range (kg/m²)
UnderweightLess than 18.5
Normal18.5 – 24.9
Overweight25 – 29.9
Obese30 and above

Why This Matters

BMI provides insight into our physical fitness, what activities are safe for us, and how much work is needed to maintain a healthy body. At some point in life—and this applies to all BMI categories—we tend to overestimate our physical strength. We lift heavy objects, take on strenuous tasks, and ignore the strain it places on our bodies.

Take for example, someone weighing 60 kg lifting a 55 kg bag of cement. That’s nearly their full body weight—and it's unsafe. The body silently absorbs this punishment, and with time, especially as we age, it begins to show.

BMI Calculations: Real-Life Examples

Name Weight (kg) Height (m) BMI Category
Dave721.7324.05Normal
Kelly801.6828.32Overweight
Bale1051.7633.88Obese
Clara431.8212.98Underweight

BMI Category Summary — Pie Chart Breakdown

Each individual falls into a different BMI category, giving a balanced representation:

  • 🟦 Underweight: Clara
  • 🟩 Normal: Dave
  • 🟨 Overweight: Kelly
  • 🔴 Obese: Bale

This reflects a 25% distribution across each BMI category.

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