From electric forklifts to agile trolleys, there are many labour-saving solutions for moving goods from A to B. However, manual handling and lifting remain a flexible and essential element of most warehouse’s workflow. When items are heavy it is key that best practices are always used. In simple terms, safe handling and lifting follows techniques that reduce the risk of onsite injuries and damage to goods.
In this article, we’ll list eight useful tips that can minimise risks onsite for your operation while answering key questions surrounding the subject. Read on to see how many of these measures you are already adopting and which ones you need to implement.
1. Assess the task
Before lifting any item, employees need to assess the weight and distance involved. If the weight is too heavy, it will require more than one person to lift it. If an item must be carried more than a few yards, always use a trolley.
2. Ask if it can be lifted safely
Before lifting heavy or large items, an employee needs to ask themselves if they can safely lift the item. This will depend on a few factors, such as how strong they are, environmental conditions and whether they have had safety training for the task.
3. Reduce the risk
Find ways to reduce injury risks. For example, consider whether the item must be manually lifted, whether a forklift could do the job or whether there’s lifting aid equipment available.
4. Change the task
Consider whether the task could be rearranged to minimise risk. If heavy items are stored at heights, place them on lower shelves to make them easier to lift. When moving heavy items on trolleys, decide whether it’s easier to pull or push the trolley.
5. Break up the load
It may be better if a load is broken up into smaller, lighter items. Piling a trolley high with goods makes it quicker to get them to their destination, but it could make the load too heavy. There’s also the danger of obstructing the trolley operator’s view, creating the risk of collisions.
6. Make the environment safe
Unsafe environments have obstructions, steps, twists and turns. Aisles may be too narrow for two trolleys to safely pass, and lighting could be poor. All these factors need addressing before it’s safe to manually move items around the workplace.
7. Plan tasks in advance
Before a new lifting job is performed, assessments and planning are needed. It should be mapped out exactly how the task will be fulfilled. If moving large heavy items in crowded areas, it is advisable to plan to have someone walking in front of the trolley to warn others.
Sometimes, when planning to move many heavy items in busy areas, it may be best to do it when the area is quieter, such as at lunchtime, or earlier or later in the day.
8. Train staff in safe lifting
To promote health and safety onsite and ensure that no unwanted damage occurs to products being moved, employees need training in the best ways to lift items, but how do you lift and handle heavy objects safely? While moving goods might seem like a simple task, an incorrect approach can have lasting physical consequences to employees and a loss of profit when goods must be written off after breaking when dropped.
Many warehouse staff ask the question “What is the proper method for safely lifting a heavy object? It starts with stance, with employees creating a firm foundation standing with feet spaced apart. Next, keeping their stomach muscles tight and back straight they should bend at the knees and take a firm grip on the load. Rather than keeping fingers straight, a hook grip is considered most effective.
Loads should be lifted with the legs and never the back in a smooth motion with the item held close to the body. This posture should be maintained as the load is carried to reduce any strain on the back. If employees experience strain or fatigue during carrying, they should temporarily put loads down and lift again using the same technique when rested. Manual handlers should avoid leaning and twisting while carrying loads and never overreach when placing items down.
At Steely Products, we provide equipment for manual handling and storage that is safe to use. Our equipment is made with strong tubular steel, and our quality asters make trolleys easy to push and pull.
For further information about our range of material handling and storage equipment, talk to us or use the contact form below.
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