Business

Safety Rules Regarding Goods Lifts

As an employer, you have a duty of care and a responsibility to ensure that all members of your team are safe. For those working within an industrial environment, there are a wide number of hazards.

When heavy lifting and machinery are involved, accidents and damage can occur. However, with the right understanding of safety guidelines, these can be avoided.

Using machinery to lift heavy goods such as goods lifts and forklifts can provide a safe and efficient way of working, provided safety guidelines are followed.

The law and lifting goods safely

By following the rules of these safety laws and guidelines, you can ensure that your teams of loading and warehouse operatives are safe while operating loading machinery.

PUWER, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) outline ways in which to ensure work equipment is safe to use. These regulations require employers and others who are responsible for such equipment to comply with certain practice standards.

This includes making sure that the equipment is fit for purpose, maintained in a safe condition, inspected and serviced on a regular basis, health and safety measures are used and only those who are trained are given access to use the equipment.

While LOLER, The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998) advise on the safe use of lifting equipment and safe manual lifting of goods.

This suggests that lifting equipment must be properly manned and appropriately supervised in order for the lifting of goods to be carried out safely.

Things to know about lifting machinery as an employer

As an employer, it is therefore your responsibility to adhere to such regulations. Not only will this ensure you are abiding by the safety laws, but you are also keeping your teams safe while operating machinery.

Below are some important safety dos and don’ts that you should follow and inform your employees of:

When operating lifting machinery

DO:

  • Use only machinery that is suitable for the job at hand. Check load capacity and give your equipment a detailed safety check before each use.
  • Provide the relevant training and certification to those who intend to use the machinery, no matter how often this will be.
  • Have your machinery serviced by qualified engineers and technicians regularly. It is recommended that this is completed once per year and a service log is kept up to date.
  • Make sure that each load being lifted is properly fitted to the lifting machine before use. This will ensure that damages and accidents are avoided as best as possible.
  • Have teams trained to carry out first aid if an accident resulting from the use of lifting machinery occurs.

DON’T:

  • Allow visitors or guests to man the machinery if they do not have the proper training and qualifications to do so.
  • Leave your machinery to age and become damaged, ignoring the requirements of regular service and planned maintenance.
  • Exceed the load capacity of your machinery. If your load is too heavy, you must find another solution, rather than overloading your forklift or goods lift.
Editor

Recent Posts

Top 5 Ways Your Business Can Benefit from a Virtual Office

Technology has transformed how businesses communicate. Today, it is possible to start and run a…

6 days ago

Why Creative PR Campaigns are Essential in a Digital-First World

How do you ensure your campaign is out of the ordinary? The answer lies in…

2 weeks ago

The impact of acoustics on workplace efficiency: Why sound control is essential for productivity

In the modern business world, where open office spaces and flexible work environments are increasingly…

2 weeks ago

How to Choose Convertible Furniture Pieces for Growing Kids?

Choosing furniture for growing children can be a challenge. Parents want pieces that are functional,…

4 weeks ago

The Best IPTV Experience: Why NecroIPTV is Changing How We Watch TV

In a world dominated by streaming services, there is a growing demand for affordable and…

1 month ago

Is Bulk Buying Batteries for Your Business The Sustainable Option?

Bulk buying batteries for your business means purchasing batteries in larger quantities and often at…

2 months ago