Question: I work for a care company and today I was posed with a question about the safe use of wheelchairs. I am aware there is a weight limit for the standard wheelchair, but is there a way of finding out the maximum weight a care giver can push in relation to their own weight or even just a maximum weight that they can push regardless of their own weight? ~Laura

Answer: This is an interesting question as most people may think the wheelchair does most of the work when it's being pushed. Once a wheelchair is moving along a straight floor, it is relatively easy to push, but starting to push a wheelchair with somebody sitting in it will take some strength. It will also take some strength when you maneuver a wheelchair around tight corners, tilt it backwards, pull it backwards and push it up inclines. A care giver must know how to properly push a wheelchair with somebody in it or they could suffer aches and pains or even injury. There are some wheelchair training courses available to teach people how to properly push a wheelchair, but to get back to your specific question about how much weight should you be pushing, I think you would have to contact somebody such as a doctor for a professional opinion.