Manual Handling Equipment

In commercial environments, especially where manufacturing, storage, and assembly are concerned, workers deal with heavy loads every day that pose injury risks. While many companies may have made efforts to hold safety clinics on how to lift and avoid injuries related to lifting heavy weights, there is still more that can be done.

UK law requires employers to eliminate or minimise risks associated with manual handling tasks. The most effective way of doing this is to invest in manual handling equipment. It also helps the employer to be aware of health and safety legislation and ensure compliance.

Using the right manual handling equipment for your operations not only ensures compliance and protects the health and safety of your staff but can also substantially benefit your operations.

Applications of Manual Handling Equipment

There are different types of manual handling equipment available, and each one is designed for different applications. The versatility of these machines and tools makes them applicable across various industries and workplaces, such as:

• Hospitals
• Warehouses
• Hotels
• Factories
• Mechanical shops and assembly lines
• Industries
• Manufacturing
• Ports
• Education facilities
• Care homes

Using manual handling in these and other environments can improve employee productivity because tasks can be completed more efficiently. The use of such equipment also reduces the risk of injury drastically while allowing the employees to carry more and heavier loads on each trip. Proper use of the equipment can also prevent accidents and damage to your products.

Employers should be aware of their responsibilities and obligations under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations of 1992 when using manual handling equipment. One requirement is that employers carefully and dutifully assess all risks associated with manual handling tasks and provide their employees with the right equipment to mitigate any risks associated with heavy lifting.

Types of Manual Handling Equipment

Tens of types of manual handling equipment are available, all in different designs, sizes, and features. The best way to examine the different types comprehensively is to identify their key functions and group them together.

Here’s a look at the most common types of manual handling equipment we offer at LKE and that you should consider for your operations:

Lifting and Carrying Aids

Lifting and carrying aids encompass a wide range of equipment designed to assist workers in moving objects efficiently and safely. This type of equipment is used to move heavy or bulky loads that can strain the workers’ muscles and joints. It includes aids such as lifting straps and harnesses that redistribute the weight of the load and reduce the force required for lifting.

Other carrying aids, such as load-carrying vests and backpacks, provide proper weight distribution to make carrying items easier and more comfortable.

Pushing and Pulling Devices

Pushing and pulling devices are among the most commonly used manual handling equipment. This is because they are versatile and can be used in different industries and for various applications.

The role of pushing and pulling devices is to reduce the risk of injuries in tasks that involve moving objects horizontally or over a distance. Common examples of pushing and pulling devices include wheeled dollies, trolleys, carts, and pallet jacks. These allow employees to reduce the physical strain required to move the loads, resulting in more efficient operations, reduced accidents such as trips and falls, and better security for the loads.

The most common application of pushing and pulling devices is in confined spaces where manual carrying might be impractical. With the right choice of equipment, you should also be able to manoeuvre tight spaces and corners.

Transport and Trolley Equipment

Transport and trolley equipment are invaluable in industries where the movement of items is necessary. These equipment types include platform trucks, utility carts and warehouse trolleys. They are equipped with wheels and castors that make them more manoeuvrable and allow employees to transport multiple items or large volumes of goods efficiently. By using transport and trolley equipment, employers can prevent overexertion in workers by keeping them from carrying heavy loads while streamlining the material handling processes and reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Hoists and Lifts

Hoists and lifts are manual handling equipment designed to lift and move heavy loads vertically. They are commonly used in manufacturing and construction settings. These devices come in various types, such as chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists, and hydraulic lifts.

Hoists and lifts can help enhance safety in the workplace by reducing physical strain. They provide precise and controlled lifting and lowering of heavy items, making the operation more efficient and accurate. In many cases, hoists and lifts are used in tasks involving objects that are too large or heavy for manual lifting.

Ergonomic Tools and Accessories

Finally, ergonomic tools and accessories are included in the different groups of manual handling equipment. These usually complement the manual handling equipment and aim to improve workers’ comfort and efficiency.

They include items such as anti-vibration gloves that reduce hand-arm vibration syndrome when using power tools, back support belts for additional lumbar support, adjustable height workstations, and ergonomic handles on manual handling equipment to improve posture and reduce strain.

Adding ergonomic tools and accessories to your list of manual handling equipment can enhance the well-being of your employees and minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Why You Should Use Manual Handling Equipment

Investing in the different types of manual handling equipment for your operations can be an added cost to our company, but the items more than payback for themselves over the cause of their use through the benefits they provide the business and the workers. These benefits include:

• Reduced injury risk: The equipment helps reduce physical strain on workers and reduces the risk of injuries and conditions such as back pain and strains.
• Improved efficiency: You can cut back on your operations time by moving more items more efficiently using manual handling equipment.
• Better ergonomics: The tools and equipment are designed with ergonomic features to improve posture and employee comfort, reducing strain on the body and the need for sick days.
• Cost–savings: The equipment requires little to no maintenance, and the reduced injuries and improved productivity of the workers help the company save on compensation claims, which can be substantial.