by Thomas Berger, Field representative,
Remember the last time you lifted something? Maybe when you were reaching for milk in the refrigerator this morning or when you lifted your suitcase onto the treadmill at the check-in counter during your last vacation. For many of us, carrying loads is limited to such everyday situations.
But in many professions, overwhelming physical exertion is part of everyday life: a painter lifting ten paint pots out of his van, an event technician lifting a 30 kg music system onto the concert stage or a tyre dealer changing countless tyres in autumn. The list is long.
While tools and technologies have made quantum leaps in the last 20 years, certain things don’t change. There is always a helping hand needed somewhere to unload goods and bring them to their destination. And depending on the size and weight of the goods, this last step can be quite troublesome.
Particularly when we counsel our customers, we regularly raise the issue of the health of their employees when lifting loads. In each of these conversations, I mention 5 strategies for carrying out work in a way that is easy on the joints. I would now like to share them with you.
Join forces
This is the most direct way to relieve your employees – two or three of them will spread the weight equally! But of course, only if everyone puts in the same effort. In fact, however, the necessary number of workers is not always available.
But even here, another craftsman, the caretaker or a willing passer-by can help on site.
Help yourself
We all know the prejudice: If you want to lift bulky objects, you need mountains of muscles. But this is by no means true! And neither is risk of injury higher when you lift heavy objects. It is the technique that counts – because lifting and putting objects down without injuring oneself is something you have to learn.
Suva offers a lot of information material on this subject, which employees can use to train or inform themselves. My tip: Have the video “How to handle loads in a clever way” circulated internally in your company and then conduct a discussion based on the presentation.
Minimize the risk of injury
Nobody likes to give up their manpower. Due to regular medical care, stress problems can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage and injuries can even be prevented. It is important that your company has an appropriate offer.
Discuss this with your accident insurance company. Many insurance companies offer prevention programmes and a wide range of other services.
Use synergies
Is the transport of heavy loads an exception in your company? Then consider recruiting external personnel. There are many specialised companies that can provide your teams with active support.
For moving or logistics companies, the transport of goods is part of their core competence. In addition to qualified and experienced personnel, these companies are equipped with professional equipment. Leave the hard work to the professionals and focus entirely on your strengths!
Use suitable work aids
The logistics market offers a wide range of industrial trucks, lifting tools and equipment such as hydraulic lifts, tailgates for commercial vehicles, forklifts or handcarts.
All of them have their ideal area of application but are very cost-intensive if they are used only rarely. It happens often that one or the other aid is not available during loading or unloading. In these cases, work is often done by hand, in pairs and with a lot of effort.
This is where xetto® performs
xetto® complements the existing systems in a unique way. It is a lifting tool and transport trolley in one, it loads itself automatically with the goods and fits into every small commercial vehicle!
It is perfectly suited for loading goods such as devices, tools, spare parts, machines and much more, but also serves as a mobile and ergonomic workbench for commissioning goods and carrying out service on site.