Rank: Forum user 
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Hi
I am working with a customer where one of the tasks is the manual sorting of piles of different types and states of pallets for repair and resale.
The HSE have asked them why they do not use mechanical aids to assist with the task and reduce manual handling. The response is that in the second hand pallet industry everyone does it by hand this way. They have apparently tried a vacuum lift in the past which was too slow and cumbersome.
There is some background to this, but in brief, do any of you work in similar industries where it is the norm to sort pallets by hand, or are there any known, reliable and efficient mechanical lifting aids which can be used? I have looked on line and seen some examples from the US and elsewhere, but would rather discuss this with anyone in a similar organisation.
Any help or advice greatly appreciated.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ian
Normally, constructive problem-solving emerges from conversations with HSE folk when you present reliable valid findings based on relevant and authoritative research. Neither you nor the HSE are likely to get anything better this side of the Atlantic ocean than' A Guide to Manual Materials Handling', A Mital, A S Nicholson and M M Ayoub, CRC Press. 2nd edition. 1997
Chapter 13 provides illustrations of 28 mechanical aids for reducing manual handling in many kinds of work. The preceding chapters discuss with substantial data the range of ergonomic issues arising. Depending on the tasks and the personal characteristics of the workers involved, you can probably use this information to agree more than one 'SFARP' option with your client and HSE folk. Further specification depends on the details of the 'some background' you hint at.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Kieran
I'll look that one up.
In this case, I am specifically trying to understand the 'industry norms' for this activity and whether it is accepted in the pallet repair industry (be it right or wrong in the eyes of a practitioner), for this type of activity to be undertaken manually. Whilst there is information out there about manual handling and mechanical/lifting aids, there does not seem to be many specifics about this type of activity.
Thanks
Ian
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Rank: Super forum user
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I wonder to what extent your client is actually hearing what the HSE are saying. For the issue they can reasonably be firm on is not simply 'industry norms' which can be studied through publications of the relevant trade associations but also substantial ergonomic research which address differences in human beings employed by your client. The material at http://www.danmacleod.co...ample/2MatHand/index.htm illustrates the issues clearly and very readably.
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