Does your company use hand pallet trucks? If so, you could easily be falling foul of the law…
Independent research suggests that moving a load of just 500kg could put you the wrong side of official guidelines. Worse still, government figures confirm that anyone using a hand pallet truck runs a much greater risk of injury than previously thought.
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has produced this short report which has been designed to help you understand the problem and its impact and, most importantly, identify ways to avoid it at your business. Similar articles can be found on a website created by Mitsubishi to provide independent and authoritative advice and information: www.forkliftbriefing.co.uk.
Your responsibilities as an employer
Let’s start with your responsibilities. If you’re an employer, it is your responsibility to do everything reasonable to maintain the well-being of your employees. In the case of lifting and shifting heavy loads, that means making sure you provide the right equipment and training.
Importantly, this doesn’t simply mean avoiding one-off incidents or injuries (the kind you might expect from moving an unusually heavy load). You need to be aware of the gradual and cumulative effect of heavy lifting on a worker’s musculoskeletal system…. and the damage such injuries can do to the smooth running of your business.
According to the HSE, more than one third of all injuries requiring at least three days off from work are caused by manual handling (lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying). On average, each sufferer took 20 days off in a 12-month period – which represents a massive inconvenience to your operations and a blow to your productivity.
How does this apply to hand pallet trucks?
Put simply, if you are moving loads frequently – or shifting any loads greater than 500kg – you should be strongly considering trading in your hand pallet truck for a battery-powered version. In the first of these scenarios, it is the cumulative strain that needs to be avoided. In the case of heavy loads, it is the effort involved in starting and stopping a load – and keeping it in motion – that is the key issue.
The official guideline figure for starting or stopping a load is about 20kg for men (typically the maximum weight for a suitcase at an airport check-in before you pay for excess baggage) or 15kg for women. The acceptable figure for keeping a load in motion is 10kg for men and about 7kg for women. But how does that work in practice?
How much effort is needed to use a hand pallet truck?
Independent researchers tested 17 different makes of hand pallet trucks in order to obtain an accurate average across a wide range of manufacturers moving loads of 500kg and 2000kg.
The results were conclusive – and shocking.
Starting a 500kg load from stationary takes, on average, an effort of 23.3kg. Increase the load to 2000kg (2 tonne) and the force required is 49.6kg – massively greater than the official guidelines mentioned earlier.
Raising a 2000kg load on a pallet truck is also very demanding – it taken an average force of 35.1 kg (again much higher than the guideline). Even keeping a 2 tonne load in motion– at 30.7kg – exceeds the guidelines by a whopping 53.3%.
Danger in the lorry
Careful consideration is required when operating hand pallet trucks in the confines of a lorry (and its hydraulic lifting platform). While keeping an average 700kg load in motion demands up to 18kg of force -80% more than guidelines – stopping that same mass on the hydraulic lift platform requires nearly twice the effort.
Exposure to rain water increases this risk further. For maximum control, a hand pallet truck should be fitted with a rubber steering wheel and a manual brake.
What should I look for in a battery powered pallet truck?
It makes sense to purchase a reputable brand. Not only is the build quality likely to be superior but the dealer supplying you the equipment will be able to advise you on the appropriate capacity and the best type of wheels for your particular application. For example, softer tyres are better for slippery conditions but wear more quickly. Composites such as Vulkollan make a great general purpose tyre which is very durable.
Desirable features include:
• A tiller arm that always returns smoothly to the upright position
• A brake bypass function – allowing creep speed operations with tiller arm in upright position.
• Linked castor wheels – for maximum stability even with high loads and on sharp turns
• Generous lifting height – this can prove very useful on ramps and loading docks, especially with damaged pallets
• Easily-switched performance modes (can be instantly changed to suit the driver’s ability and the operating conditions)
• A ‘closed’ chassis (to prevent water and dirt getting into the inside of the truck – fewer repairs, longer working life and lower running costs)
• Heavy duty forks (greater durability)
• Oil-filled transmission (quiet running, reliable and low maintenance)
• Electronic pump control (smoother and quieter than old-fashioned contactors)
If you would like a free assessment to identify whether you should be switching to a powered pallet truck and to get advice on the correct specification, please visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk today.
The conclusion
Unless you can reduce the size of each load – to 500kg or less – whilst also minimising the number of operations -the only realistic (and legal) option is to mechanise the handling process by switching from a hand pallet truck to a battery electric power pallet truck.
The big bonus is that you’ll increase the speed of the operation and reduce the risk of time off from health problems such as lower back pain.
Action points:
• Book a risk assessment.
• Consider reducing load size to 500kg or less
• Request site survey from your local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks dealer by calling the Mitsubishi Greenline on 0845 371 3048.
Get the most from your trucks
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has launched Forklift Briefing, www.forkliftbriefing.co.uk, a free online library of help and advice for forklift operators.
Aimed at answering many of the most common issues facing truck owners, the site also identifies issues that could cause problems for you and your business, such as the dangers of mousetrapping or purchasing rogue trucks.
What’s more, Forklift Briefing hosts a wealth of valuable resources, including a used truck buyer’s guide.
Visit Forklift Briefing today to find out more about working more safely and productively today.
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks
Greenline: 0845 371 3048
1 Comment
We at Nationwide Handling agree that moving loads in excess of 500kg is not only putting the customer at risk regarding the official Health & Safety guidelines but could also be putting the operator at risk of injury and not the most cost effective way regarding productivity and efficiency.
This is why at Nationwide Handling we have introduced the Maximin fully powered pallet truck. With ergonomic design & compact build it’s the perfect answer to the problems incurred when using Hand Pallet Trucks when trying to move heavy loads across long distances or up and down inclines.