For some businesses, sack trucks are the backbone of efficient work. For others, they simply provide a convenient way of moving goods from A to B. No matter how heavily you rely on sack trucks in your workplace, it is very important to know how to operate them safely.
Many workplace injuries occur due to incorrect manual handling, but the good news is that most of these injuries can be avoided. Follow our quick guide on how to use sack trucks safely and avoid unnecessary accidents.
A sack truck can help you to carry heavy weight loads safely, without having to lift the load on to the trolley itself. It can be used in a variety of environments and allows easy transportation across warehouses, shop floors, workshops, and other areas.
When heavy loads need to be carried there is often a risk of injury, especially if you are carrying by hand. Sack trucks are designed to prevent injury from occurring, keeping your business complying with all the relevant health and safety legislation.
There are a few essential points that you should check before handling your sack truck. These make up a safety checklist which need to be ticked off before every use.
Loading your sack truck properly sets great foundations and minimises any problems whilst transporting. To do this, you need to first make sure your load does not exceed the weight limit specified.
Next, you want to stack goods with the heaviest on the bottom and the lightest on the top. This way you can make sure that lighter items do not get crushed and ensure greater stability whilst the truck is in motion.
After your items are stacked, you need to be certain that they are stable. If you find that your items are unsteady you have two options: secure the load with a strap or take two trips to avoid potential accidents.
Follow our step-by-step instructions for seamless sack truck transportation every time:
Please note: if you find the sack truck dragging or not moving freely there may be something wrong. Check that you have not exceeded the weight limit and that the type of wheels are suitable for the terrain you are transporting on. Following the checklist above before use can help you to avoid these unfortunate situations.
When you have reached your destination, unload your sack truck slowly to avoid any damage to goods or injury to yourself.
Lift one box at a time, ensuring that you are lifting by bending you knees and not your back to avoid painful muscle strains.
By following the outlined guidance above, you can rest assured that you are doing everything you can to use your sack truck safely. However even so, there are some top tips to keep in mind to maximise this safety:
We hope you have found this guide on safe sack truck use to be helpful. You can view our full range of sack trucks here.
If you have any question about sack trucks, or any of our other trucks and trolleys from our website, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to help.