MANUAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

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WHAT ARE THE MAIN HAZARDS & CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH HANDLING EQUIPMENT?

Please also refer to other relevant sections, notably Manual Handling and Safety of Vehicles in the Workplace.

Wherever possible mechanical aids should be used to reduce risks associated with manual handling injury.  Such equipment may be divided into two types; (i) devices that are pedestrian powered and (ii) those that are mechanically powered.  As with manual handling, operations can be split into four groups (TILE):

All equipment used to perform the task should be subject to a planned, recorded system of testing, examination and maintenance.  There should also be a safe operating procedure for tasks performed.

Individual operators should be trained and competent to use the equipment.

Loads moved in bulk should be packed in rigid containers and safely secured to pallets, often using plastic wrapping film. They should be suited to the relevant machinery.

The working environment should be designed in a way that allows safe operation of the equipment, sufficient room for operators to perform associated tasks, smooth, even floor surfaces and safe interaction with associated traffic flows.

Pedestrian-operated load moving equipment includes platform trucks – 4 wheeled flat-bed trolleys, possibly with caged sides, two wheeled platform trucks, two-wheeled sack trucks for smaller loads, and pallet trucks, similar to forklifts, but manually operated, for heavier loads.

Hazards include overloading, instability of the load, instability of the two-wheeled devices small wheels being susceptible to getting caught in uneven ground, and loss of control on slopes, particularly if equipment lacks brakes.

Conveyors are normally belt, roller or screw devices.  Guards and trip wires and stop buttons are the main safety control devices, to guard against drawing in and entanglement, typically at running-in nips between the belt and revolving drums.

Lifts and hoists cover any equipment used in a static location for raising or lowering a load.  The main hazards are falls, being struck by the platform, being hit by objects falling from the platform and being struck by landing levels or other projections whilst being transported.  Strict requirements apply with regard to safe operation.  Lifts (enclosed) and hoists (unenclosed) must be set on solid ground and tied to the building or scaffold, typically at alternate floors.  People must be prevented from getting under the platform.  A substantial enclosure should therefore be sited at ground level and where possible the shaft of the lift should also be enclosed.  Access to and from landing levels should be fully protected by enclosure gates.  These must be kept closed except during access and should interlock with the platform so they cannot be opened unless the platform is there. People inside the cage must be able to control its vertical movement.  Maximum capacities must be clearly marked on the unit.  Equipment should comprise non-slip floors, alarm system in the case of failure and safety devices to protect against over-running.  All equipment must be examined every 6 months by a Competent Person.  People and good should not be carried at the same time. Operators must be specifically trained and able to see all landing levels clearly. 

Cranes include permanent derricks, fixed position towers, gantry and overhead cranes that move along defined tracks and mobile units.  Risks include toppling of the unit, the jib or load striking another object or the load falling.  Safe systems of work for cranes include correct planning, use of correct equipment and slinging technique, selection of appropriate staff who are ensured adequate visibility of lifting operations and controls to address any unplanned events.  The maximum lift capacity must also be carefully managed.  Safe load / radius indicators of various types provide warnings to the Operator.  Safe site conditions should be ensured and consideration given to access routes, the base on which the crane is mounted and the presence of any voids, adjacent buildings or other obstructions.  The details of the load must be established, it must be free to move, kept as low as practicable, moved slowly and located within the load radius capacity of the crane.  Only authorised people (wearing appropriate PPE) should be allowed within the demarcated area around the lift and no person underneath the load.  The crane driver must receive clear instructions from the banksman.

Operators of lifting equipment under their control should ensure that it is sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed task.  It should be so positioned or installed as to prevent the risk of injury and visibly marked with safe working loads or any other appropriate information governing its safe use.  Lifting operations must be planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner, by competent people.

A thorough examination must be carried out at defined minimum intervals by a competent person.  Equipment used for lifting people must be examined every 6 months and every 12 months for all other types of lifting equipment.  The employer must maintain a written scheme for ensuring that these requirements are applied.