Lifting, carrying and moving aids

Workplace solutions and adjustments

The use of lifting, carrying and moving aids can reduce manual handling requirements, increase task independence, improve productivity and reduce the risk of injury.

There are various types of lifting, carrying and moving aids which can be of assistance in the workplace, including:

• Cranes—used as mechanical supports that can lift and move heavy items for people who are unable to lift them without support, can be mobile, fixed or truck mounted.
• Heavy moving and carrying—equipment items which reduce the risk of injury and ensure correct manual handling
• Ladders and reachers—to assist people to physically move to a higher or lower point or to reach items beyond their physical stretch
• Lifts and elevators to enable people or equipment to move between the floors of the building without using stairs
• Lifter_and_carriers—to assist with carrying goods or people from one place to another
• Stair modifications and supports—to assist people to access and move themselves or equipment safely between floors of multi-storey buildings without using stairs

All lifting, carrying and moving aids should meet Australian Standards and training in their safe operation should be given prior to their use.

References

Health and Safety Executive 2005, Are you making the best use of lifting and handling aids, Health and Safety Executive, Suffolk, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg398.pdf.

Seton 2006, Lifting Aids, Seton Australia, Regents Park, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.seton.net.au/warehouse-products/manual-handling/lifting-aids.html.

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• Lifting, carrying and moving aids