There is an easy and safe way to handle materials and primarily this is through the use of equipment as an aid to better handling. We shall consider, in this short article, some Materials Handling Products that can be of use to you as a business. Your employees will thank you, the health and safety executive will be pleased, and the time saved will be well worth the investment in the extra equipment. So, let us consider what we can buy to help us in our work.
Lifting Equipment
This is an area where safety is important because we have to consider that only certain weights can be lifted safely without assistance, and others should not even be attempted without the aid of equipment, and certainly not with just one person. So, purchasing lifting equipment could save you employing an extra worker in some instances.
The pieces of equipment that can be invested in to help with lifting materials include vacuum lifting devices, electric hoists, goods lifting cages, and mechanical arms for manipulating goods. Most lifting equipment will make use of a pulley system in some way and so it is essential that the correct kind of mechanical cable pulley is used for its specific use – you can find out how to choose them in this post directly from the manufacturer of such parts.
Vacuum devices will grip items and so make it safer to handle them. The one thing that we do not want happening is a valuable product slipping as we are trying to relocate it from one area in a warehouse to another.
Electric hoists, and indeed trolleys too, will take the effort out of the moving process as it saves on the effort of pulling and pushing an object around until it is safely located to its new position.
Having a cargo to lift goods will mean that there is no chance of it falling anywhere while it is being lifted to a certain height. This will protect that item and everyone manoeuvring the item from below. It makes sense to use a lifting cage to protect products and people from harm. It is cost-effective to invest in one and avoid damaging many of the materials we handle.
A mechanically operated arm or one operated by even greater assistance will, of course, make it easier to move materials around and relocate them into precise locations.
It is important to stay safe when lifting and to know the regulations and requirements as a business.
Equipment for Improved Access
Ladders are one of the safest ways to reach items on higher shelves. In storage situations, it is unfortunately not possible to store everything low down where we can easily reach it when we are trying to effectively make the best use of space. So, we will need reaching aids such as ladders. Then, it makes sense to get a good and stable one of these that can reach the required heights. Ladders can be purchased that are corrosion-free, made from fibreglass, double-sided, dual-purpose, telescopic, or that will extend for greater reach, and even incorporate platforms for stability and standing on for long periods.
Aerial work platforms can incorporate scissor lifts and be pneumatic in operation. Ones can be obtained for rough terrain situations, allowing for their use outdoors as well as inside a warehouse. Platforms of all kinds can offer greater access to higher areas and maintain the safety of workers and employees at the same time.
Waste Management
When handling materials, there will be wastage. To deal with it as a business, you might want to consider using forklift bin tippers and wheelie bin tippers. These make it more convenient when it comes to disposing of the waste associated with the handling of materials by creating a comfortable angle for disposal. This is important when disposing of larger, heavier, unwanted, or damaged items that are harder to move around.
In addition to the equipment, there are lots of other items connected to safety that can be obtained for a work or home situation where work is taking place. For instance, portable safety signs can be purchased to warn of hazards. This can warn, for example, that cleaning is in progress so that people know to stay clear when there might be the potential to slip on say a recently mopped floor. These things may not seem that important but you do not want an employee, for instance, claiming compensation for an injury that was so easily preventable.
Safety barriers can be obtained to keep people away from areas that can potentially cause them harm. This can be because work is in progress or simply to make it more obvious that they need to avoid a particular area of a building and not get too close to it. Once purchased they can be positioned where required or moved around and reused where needed. They will prove to be an investment in safety for a business or any situation where there is a hazard to warn of.
To conclude, just a few ideas here as to how to handle materials more efficiently and safely. These can be raw materials or finished items. We can assist ourselves in the lifting of them, gaining access to them, and in disposing of waste associated with them.
