| of attention is paid to health and safety in our | | | | of pallet trucks. |
| modern age, and understandably so. There are | | | | It is stated in the Provision and Use of work |
| numerous guidelines for employers and seemingly | | | | equipment regulations 1998 that employers must |
| endless regulations - and updates of these | | | | ensure that equipment provided for staff is |
| regulations - to protect staff in their working | | | | constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the |
| environment. It is also worthwhile to mention that | | | | purpose for which it is used and provided. Of |
| there can also be a negative effect on employers | | | | course pallet trucks meet these criteria for many |
| through accidents and near misses in the | | | | tasks involving lifting and moving potentially heavy |
| workplace; when employees accuse the company | | | | or bulky items. Each needs to be used in |
| of negligence and a failure to comply with | | | | accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines |
| regulations. With this in mind it is vital that | | | | on maximum capacities to be moved and safe |
| companies choose task appropriate equipment | | | | operation in general. Companies must choose |
| from the outset. | | | | which models are most suited to their individual |
| Warehouses can be considered one of the more | | | | needs, and whether completely manual or |
| dangerous working environments due to the | | | | motorised trucks are more appropriate. Widely |
| amount of manual labour, including of course the | | | | used pieces of equipment, which are necessary all |
| lifting, transporting and positioning of heavy | | | | over the globe in a large number of industries, |
| objects. This is an area in which pallet trucks | | | | need to be reliable and have a long working life. |
| prove to be indispensable. With a number of | | | | Regular servicing and maintenance can help to |
| types and styles available, pallet trucks are able to | | | | keep machines in working order for longer. This is |
| meet various needs for varying businesses. The | | | | another way in which compliance with regulations |
| risk of manual handling in work environments is | | | | can be achieved – by ensuring that tools |
| not to be underestimated. Staff suffering from | | | | remain fit for purpose. This reduces the level of |
| back and other injuries can experience pain, | | | | risk to employees and others through malfunction |
| discomfort and reduced mobility. This can impact | | | | or failure. |
| on employment status – sometimes | | | | It goes without saying, however, that all |
| resulting in actual job loss or early retirement. | | | | equipment needs replacing when it can no longer |
| Personal lives can also be damaged by an inability | | | | be seen as operating in a safe, efficient manner. |
| to partake of leisure activities that were once | | | | Another point worth making is that instructing |
| enjoyed. This in turn can cause depression. | | | | staff – and indeed anyone who will be |
| Let’s not forget that these issues can | | | | using a pallet truck – on proper use and |
| also affect family and friends of sufferers. The | | | | maintenance is essential. As well as making sure |
| number of staff injuries caused by lifting objects | | | | that employee’s general safety |
| incorrectly, or indeed by lifting inappropriately | | | | knowledge is up to standard. This will make for a |
| heavy or cumbersome items, can be reduced | | | | safer working environment, better efficiency and |
| substantially just by providing an adequate number | | | | longer lasting pallet trucks. |