Over 70 lb Packages at UPS: Your Rights to Get Help

If you've ever stared down a massive box on your package car and wondered, "Do I have to move this by myself?" — the answer is no. Your contract and UPS's own methods manuals give you clear protections and multiple options when it comes to over-70 pound packages. Here's exactly what you need to know.

What Makes a Package "Over 70"?

Generally speaking, UPS defines a heavy package as anything weighing more than 70 lbs. These packages are required to carry a specific Over-70 Pound label and highlight tape visible on all sides so handlers and drivers know what they're dealing with before they ever touch it ^[1].

For customer context: packages over 70 lbs may carry a handling surcharge, and anything over 150 lbs is classified as freight and handled differently entirely ^[6].

Your Core Right: You Do NOT Have to Lift Alone

This is the most important thing to know. No employee shall be required to handle any over-70 pound package alone if it is the employee's good faith belief that such handling would be a safety hazard to themselves. In that case, the Employer must provide assistance at the employee's good faith request ^[5].

That's not just a policy suggestion — it's a contractual protection backed by the Teamsters. If you feel the lift is unsafe, you have the right to say so and to demand one of several assistance options before touching that package.

The Four Options for Handling Over-70 lb Packages

UPS's own Delivery & Pickup Methods Standard Practice Manual (340) spells out exactly what your options are when you encounter an over-70 pound package. You have four legitimate methods — and you get to choose among them in good faith:

1. Leveraging and ramping — Use portable rollers or a carry aid to move the package without a full lift ^[1].
2. Enlisting customer assistance — Ask the customer at the delivery or pickup location to help ^[1].
3. Scheduling assistance from another Service Provider — You can request that another driver or UPS employee come out to assist you ^[1].
4. Handling the package unassisted within the Power Zone — Only when you determine it is safe to do so ^[1].

Notice that option #4 — lifting it yourself — is last on the list and is only appropriate when you judge it safe. The other three options exist precisely so you don't have to rely solely on yourself.

Do You Have to Ask the Customer for Help?

You can ask the customer, and the methods manual specifically encourages it — but it is not your only option and not a requirement. The manual says to "encourage customer help in moving Over-70 pound packages" ^[1], and also encourages customers to "be prepared" and to "move packages to be loaded into the package car" ^[1].

However, "encourage" is not "demand" — and asking the customer is just one of four valid options available to you. If the customer is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to help, that does not leave you stuck. You can still:

• Use a carry aid and the ramping technique ^[1][2]
• Call your center and request another service provider to assist you ^[1]
• Decline to handle the package if you believe it poses a safety hazard to you ^[5]

A fellow UPS driver on r/UPSers put it plainly: "Don't lift anything over 70 pounds by yourself. Ask someone for help in a team lift, or tell your supervisor you need assistance." ^[4]

Proper Equipment and Techniques You Should Use

The methods manual gives detailed guidance on how to move heavy packages when you do handle them:

• Use the ramping technique: When at ground level, lean the carry aid against the bumper, place the rubber grommets into the bumper grating to secure it, then use proper posture (bent knees) to slide the package up the carry aid's frame onto the package car floor ^[3].
• All over-70 pound packages must be on the floor of the package car — never on shelves ^[2][3].
• Keep over-70 pound packages on the floor in the rear of the car when loading ^[3].
• The DIAD should be secured in a belt clip or pouch — never placed loosely on top of packages when walking with a carry aid ^[2].

What If the Package Isn't Labeled Correctly?

The Over-70 pound label and highlight tape must be visible on all sides of the package ^[1]. If a package isn't properly labeled, you are within your rights to work with the customer to meet package requirements before accepting it ^[1]. Make sure the weight is clearly identified on the Over-70 label before you handle it ^[1].

This is especially important at pickups: checking for over-70 pound packages and notifying the customer if any are found is part of your required pickup verification process ^[1].

What About Packages That Exceed Safe Limits Entirely?

Generally speaking, if a package is discovered in the UPS system that exceeds safe handling limits, it shall not be handled by a bargaining unit employee unless proper assistance or equipment is provided ^[5]. This is a hard stop — not a guideline.

If you're ever pressured to handle an unsafe package alone, that's a potential safety grievance. Document it, note the package details, and contact your steward.

Quick Summary of Your Rights

Situation	Your Right
Package feels unsafe to lift alone	Right to refuse solo handling [5]
No customer available to help	Request another service provider [1]
No label or tape visible	Work with customer to fix it before handling [1]
Supervisor pressuring you to lift alone	Safety grievance — contact your steward
Package on shelves over 70 lbs	It should be on the floor — flag it [3]

What to Do Next

If you're being pressured to handle over-70 pound packages alone without assistance, or if management is retaliating against you for requesting help, talk to your steward immediately. Document the date, time, package details, and what was said to you. You can also ask TeamstersGPT with your specific supplement selected for guidance tailored to your region.