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Dealing with heavy goods on a day-to-day basis

11th November 2016 Print

Dealing with heavy goods on a day-to-day basis can be tricky if you don’t know how to manoeuvre or handle them properly. The key to success is to have equipment and procedures in place that make the whole process easier, so take a look at this useful advice which will prove invaluable for employers, workers and anyone in need of heavy goods information. 

Invest in equipment suitable for heavy lifting

Some products simply can’t be lifted by hand. This, of course, makes moving them from one place to another dangerous if not impossible without the right equipment. The good news is there are many gadgets and innovations available these days that’ll help you get the job done with ease such as fixed castors – particularly heavy duty castors – which are designed to carry hundreds of kilos!

Heavy duty castors are ideal for carrying super heavy loads including enormous scaffolds, huge cranes and weighty forklift trucks. They tend to be crafted from heavy-gauge steel and are typically used at ports and airports as well as by the army and in factories. Castors of this kind make transporting heavy goods from A to B a piece of cake and are put through rigorous testing to ensure they’re reliable, dependable and enhance safety in the workplace.

What’s also great about castors is that they come in all shapes and sizes, so whether you need fixed castors for heavy trollies that need to be manoeuvred down straight corridors, or swivel castors with locks for hospital beds, you’ll be able to find just what you need.

Be responsible when lifting heavy goods by hand

If you deal with heavy goods on a daily or regular basis, there should certainly be procedures in place to keep you safe. You should know what equipment is needed for what task, but if you’re ever faced with a situation where lifting something by hand is required, follow these basic safety tips.

Check the object before you try to lift it

When it comes to lifting, don’t just assume you can manage. Instead, test the object first with your hands and feet to see how heavy it is before even trying to lift it. If it moves easily it might be alright, but if it doesn’t, don’t take the risk as you could really hurt your back. And remember, a small size doesn’t necessarily mean a light load.

Beware of broken packaging

Be sure to check the packaging. Cardboard boxes can break easily if they’ve been left in damp conditions or pierced by sharp objects, so ensure everything’s secure before lifting and keep a tight grip of the product in question. Always test and use the handles provided if possible. 

Bend your knees not your back

To avoid putting excessive strain on your back and to reduce the chance of injuries, face the object without twisting your body and bend your knees before making the lift. Try to carry the load in the space between your shoulders and waist as this will put less strain on your back muscles. 

Dealing with heavy goods on a daily basis can be testing, but with the right procedures it shouldn’t be too much of a chore.