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Posted By Nadroj
Hello,
Could anyone point me in the direction of any guidelines regarding weight of contents when pushing wheeled storage containers.
At present, the company SSOW instructs that 180kg is the maximum weight to be placed in the containers, but there is no evidence as to how this figure was derived. These containers are pushed onto vehicles for delivery & pushed at delivery locations by the delivery drivers and customer staff.
I'm aware that manual handling has to take into consideration, the type of task being performed, the individuals capability, the load being transported and the environment in which the task is being performed, but I'm unaware if there are any guidelines that I could make use of to establish whether this weight is an accurate indication of what is within an "average" individuals capability.
Pressure is being mounted by the business to increase the weight transported in the containers.
I would appreciate it if anyone could give me some advice or info to be able to provide a balanced view to either agree with the proposed weight increase or recommend that the weight limit should not be changed.
I know its a Friday night, but there's nothing on the telly except flipping "Britain's got talent" !
Seriously though, any help would be appreciated,
Cheers,
Nadroj
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Posted By D H
Hi Nadroj. What are the articles being transported?
Are the storage containers being transported by electric or manual operated barrows? If not then something to consider?
Please give more information of the goods being moved.
Best Regards.
Dave
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Posted By Nadroj
Dave,
The containers are 4 wheeled metal roll cages, two fixed & two swiveling wheels. The cages are initially transported from the distribution centre on vehicles to customers.
Medical items, food products, cleaning products are distributed in this way.
I suppose I'm looking for Ergonomic type info rather than replacing with an alternative mechanical aid.
Cheers
Nadroj
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Posted By Jane Blunt
The weight in the containers is not the sole consideration.
The actual effort that is needed to move them depends on the surface (is it flat, hard and level) the size and condition of the wheels and where on the container the person has to exert the force to get the container moving. It is the effort that has to be expended by the person that is crucial in assessng the task.
I suggest you look at the HSE Guidance, L23 'Manual Handling' for more detailed guidance.
Jane
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Posted By Alan Nicholls
Hi Nagroj
Contact the company that supplied the containers, (Stillages) ask for the safe working load for the stillages. There will be different ratings for the different sizes of wheels fitted.
As previously stated one size does not fit all!
From my experience people will try to fill them to the top and be dammed what the actual weight amount's too. If it says 150kg this should not be exceeded, SWL what it says on the packet.
The figures given will only be good for equipment in good serviceable condition, rolling on a smooth flat surface.
In a previous life, our drivers had pallet trucks on the lorries they would move 2 stillages at a time in certain establishments. Due to security of loading and unloading areas. Theft etc.
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Posted By Nadroj
Thanks for the responses.
The problem that we're experiencing is that we deliver to customers who have a varied type of delivery locations. The cage is rated to be able to carry 500kg.
This is obviously not acceptable without mechanical means. There has been a limit set at 180kg to accommodate the different types of delivery locations.
It's the 180kg limit I'm trying to understand. How someone could have arrived at that figure ?
Was hoping there'd be some guidance.
Have looked at L23 and there are some guidelines on weight, but not for this particular application.
Am still looking for ergonomic info.
Keep plodding on
Nadroj
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Posted By Lawrence
Think you have pretty much answered your own question there. You might want to have a look at an HSE document called "Getting to grips with Manual Handling", catchy title huh!
It is a responsibility of the employer to reduce the risk as much as possible and practicable and as you rightly said, it can be very much down to the individual, not everyone has the same physical capabilities and whilst you might be able to shove around an 180kg container it could cause musculoskelatal problems within others.
Could a 75 kg person stop the movement of one of these containers as easily as someone who is 100kg, and consider the impact of increasing the weight to 200kg!
Hope this helps
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Posted By Ian_P Hiya, You need to reed the HSE document "Roll cages and wheeled racks in the food and drink industries: Reducing manual handling injuries" It is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/fis33.pdf.Popular roll cages are marked with a standard SWL of 500Kg. One of the reasons for this is that the force required to move them is calculated as 25Kg (250N)which is within the manregs guidelines. Be careful however, as this is an 'ideal' SWL. It will need to be reduced by your risk assessment taking into consideration environmental factors such as ground condition, construction, temperature (i.e. cold stores...?), slope etc, and (arguably)operator factors such as physical capability, sex, age etc, If you read this document all will be clear and you will be able to come up with a SWL specific to your conditions and more importantly, justify it. Regards, Ian
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Posted By Ian_P
Maybe I should proof 'reed' before posting.
Ha! Less haste....
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