Newsletter #375 (View other news stories)
Use of forklifts can reduce injury
MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia
Thursday, 28 Aug 2008
 Forklifts should be used to lift large, awkward objects. |
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According to WorkSafe Victoria, the most common injuries related to manual lifting, as shown by injury claims, are back (48%), shoulder (17%), abdomen (16%) and arm, neck and leg (less than 10%).
To minimise the incidence of these injuries in manual handling occupations, typically found in the manufacturing, construction and public and community services sectors, WorkSafe recommends:
• Eliminate lifting by using technological solutions (eg, robotics, cranes, bulk supply systems).
• Reduce lifting by increasing the size of objects and using mechanical aids instead of lifting by hand.
• Don’t lift objects from ground, floor or low level, as far as is reasonably practicable.
• Reduce the need to lift objects by locating and storing objects at waist height.
• Minimise the impact of lifting by reducing size and weight of objects to be lifted, while ensuring that a reduction in the size of the load doesn’t increase the frequency of lifting.
In the manufacturing sector, the use of forklifts or powered mechanical aid attachments should be used to lift large, awkward objects.
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