Heavy lifting is part and parcel of working in the manual labor and retail industry as workers are charged with the task of moving or using materials or equipment of considerable weight. Employees should be both skilled and trained to utilize the correct lifting techniques to preserve the safety of themselves and fellow colleagues. This is particularly prominent when lifting heavy objects from the ground or an elevated height upon a shelf as both movements can place considerable strain upon the body.
As part of their legal obligation to enforce health and safety procedures, a company should provide their employees with adequate material handling equipment. This is particularly the case for companies who utilize a warehouse facility to effectively receive and store bulk quantities of stock.
Although certain materials, products or equipment may be able to be lifted and carried with minimal fuss, there are others which can prove difficult through their weight and size. Employees who attempt a heavy lift, or are not provided with appropriate lifting equipment, can incur potential strain and injuries to the back, legs and arms. Any injury sustained may not only be painful, but also lead to a period away from the workplace which is detrimental to both employer and employee.
Using adequate material handling equipment, such as handtrucks, provided by a company can allow employees to effectively carry out their duties in the warehouse in a safe and convenient manner. Handtrucks are created to effectively lift under boxes or provide a loading capacity with considerable weight-bearing qualities to move heavy loads. Although a variable level of pressure is required to push a truck or trolley across a warehouse, either along the floor or up stairs, the handling equipment effectively holds the weight load to prevent injuries from occurring.
