Wheelbarrows are a type of material handling aid generally with a sloping side style bucket or tub carrier, a wheel at the front and two handles for pushing and tipping. Wheelbarrows are operated by pushing the handles from behind and are used predominantly in landscaping or construction sites where movement of loose materials such as soil, mulch, concrete or sand might be required.
Depending on the types of materials to be transported, wheelbarrow tubs can be plastic or metal of varying sizes, with handles being wooden or metal with rubber or plastic hand holds. Wheels are generally large and either pneumatic which can be more easily punctured, or rubber to enable easy movement over rough terrain.
Variations in wheelbarrows may include:
- reinforced metal brace or bumper in front of the wheel to assist with load tipping
- metal feet with extra bracing at rear of wheelbarrow to reduce risk of tipping and support heavier loads
- specialised tubs larger at the front for more localised emptying
- two wheeled barrows for increased stability but reduced manouverability
- easy tip facility where the tub tips forward when the barrow is fully tilted to allow for full emptying
- disc brake system with locking capacity, operated from handle similar to a bike
- heavy duty with extra bracing and or heavy duty bearings
- stabiliser bars mounted onto front of barrow on which it can rest when draining contents of tub during emptying
- varying handle styles; ‘T’ bar style handle utilised with one or two hands or two handles positioned for easy pushing
- foldable or collapsible wheelbarrows with canvas or fabric insert and no back legs enable it to be laid on the ground and leaves raked directly in or items rolled in
- small foldable wheelbarrow with back legs for some support
- slimline wheelbarrow to fit through narrow spaces.
Powered wheelbarrows are also available:
- battery powered, hand grip throttle operated 3 wheeled barrow with spring loaded vertical lift for emptying of barrow.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with disability working in landscaping or construction type work where they are required to load, push and empty wheelbarrows, a range of wheelbarrow designs and styles are available which may assist in overcoming lifting or pushing limitations. Alternative sizes, style, handle design and operation method may assist in overcoming barriers within the workplace.
When choosing an appropriate wheelbarrow, consideration needs to be given to the type of loose material to be transported, terrain over which the wheelbarrow will be pushed, space available for wheelbarrow movement and whether a manual or powered wheelbarrow would be of most benefit.
It is recommended the provision of lifting and moving equipment such as wheelbarrows, be part of an integrated, organisational approach to occupational health and safety, and used to complement other manual handling hazard control methods.
References
AllTools 2011, Wheelbarrows, Alltools WA Pty Ltd, Bayswater, viewed 1 September 2011, https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/index.php/487_Wheelbarrows.
Burke’s Backyard 2006, Wheelbarrows, CTC Productions, Crows Nest, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Gardening-Tips-Books-Techniques-and-Tools/Wheelbarrows/1797.
Disability SA 2011, Gardening Factsheet, Government of South Australia: Department for Families and Communities, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.sa.gov.au/upload/franchise/Community%20Support/Disability/Information%20sheets%20-%20Disability%20SA/Gardening.doc.
Nextag 1999-2011, Folding Wheelbarrows, Nextag, Inc., viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.nextag.com/folding-wheelbarrow/stores-html