Rank: Super forum user 
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I am an agency worker, I drive class 2 rigid trucks. My current contract employer requires me to unload steel beams, mostly 3-4 meters long, these are used for lintels in buildings (houses). I handballed 6 beams last week. I have not seen a method statement nor risk assessment, there aren't any tools such as cranes or forklifts - simply brute strength. Most movement is with 2 or 3 people, myself included. It is backbreaking work, no pun intended. It is now the weekend and my lower back is in spasms. This type of work appears to be the norm for this company. I've raised my concern with my employers, but they don't seem to care, what can I do as there isn't much work about?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You need to get the your job description in writing from the Agency, Are you a Driver or labourer or both?? The company ideally should have a safe system of work by means of a Method Statement for the Unloading of the steels on site. You don't mention the size or weight so i cannot say more on that. Bet they've not had any manaual handling training either? Just refuse to do it, your health is worth much more than with a company who don't give a hoot about their workers safety. For peace of mind and a bit of insurance can you take any pictures of whats going on with your phone?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks Gerry, it's what I thought too. I am a typical agency driver, you never know what you'll end up with when the agency sends you to a contracted employer. I really am surprised by this companies lack of driver safety in the unloading of steel products. The company has sent me on several occassions to customers that expect me to help unload the beams and carry them into their property. 2m / 3m / 4m / 5m long X 30 cm width (in an ' I ' cross section), don't know the weights. My back has since recovered with 500mg paracetamol and ibuprofen and a days rest. Like you suggested, I'll take a photo next time, tell my agency first then the company and refuse to lift it off the back on the grounds of putting myself at risk. I wonder how quick I'll loose my contract? Oh well, I'll consider reporting them to the HSE for their safety failings.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The thing is Kim, will the agency pay you if your off work for weeks at a time because of a bad back?? Look after yourself, It appears the construction company your working for needs to get its H&S in order and the site for allowing it to continue
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Rank: Super forum user
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We now live in a very very bad/hard world and only those who have been out of work recently know 'what is what'
U need to keep your job as £ is coming in & especially so as 'black lists' are very much alive and well ---- the agency wants £ so will not shout too much [can U really blame them?] Take photos and write notes then send to them to the HSE but do not hold your breath. Additionally try talking to the employing company in a constructive, calm etc. way as nobody else will on your behalf
And as always keep looking for other work. Best of luck
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Rank: Super forum user 
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If you wanted to work out the girder weight it can be done. If you imagine the I section as 3 pieces put together the top flange, the bottom flange and the central web.
You need to know all the dimensions of each part in Metres. Now when you look at the end of the beam the top and bottom flange may taper from the edge to the middle, if so measure the thickness of the metal ¼ the way along the top (should be average thickness) otherwise if it is the same thickness all the way along it does not matter where you measure, (say it was 12mm so that would be 0.012m). Then the width you say is 300mm (so 0.3) and the length Say (2.4m).
You then multiply it all together 0.012 x 0.3 x 2.4 which gives you 0.00864, you then multiply that by 7.85 and you get the weight of the top flange, which would be in my example =0.0678 tonnes. The bottom flange is likely to be the same dimensions. So another 0.678 tonnes.
If the Web was 10mm thick and 300mm high (Don’t count the thickness of the top and bottom flanges in the middle (may be more than the average)). Say 15mm. Therefore, you get 0.27m high x 0.01m thick x 2.4m long = 0.00648, then times 7.85 again and you get 0.0509 tonnes.
All in all, you get Top flange + bottom Flange + Web = 0.0678 + 0.0678 + 0.0509 = 0.1865 tonnes
So you can work out how much each person is lifting in Kilograms by dividing the number by the number of people.
It’s easier to do than it looks (remember everything in meters and multiply by 7.85).
It might be nice to know the weights you are being asked to lift (should be on delivery paperwork really!)
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Kim Hedges  I am an agency worker, I drive class 2 rigid trucks. My current contract employer requires me to unload steel beams, mostly 3-4 meters long, these are used for lintels in buildings (houses). I handballed 6 beams last week. I have not seen a method statement nor risk assessment, there aren't any tools such as cranes or forklifts - simply brute strength. Most movement is with 2 or 3 people, myself included. It is backbreaking work, no pun intended. It is now the weekend and my lower back is in spasms. This type of work appears to be the norm for this company. I've raised my concern with my employers, but they don't seem to care, what can I do as there isn't much work about?
Ask your agency/employer to provide some mechanical means of getting the RSJ from truck to work area. This is a simple piece of kit that doesn't require a lot of space and is cheaper than a forklift. I assume the builders have to lift the lintel into position at height without your assisstance?
http://www.liftsafedirect.co.uk/pipe-and-bar-trucks/one-tonne-pipe-trolley
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Rank: Forum user
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Have come across these "Dickensien employers/agency's" in the past. Once you raise an issue of health and safety you are quickly offloaded and "contract" (for what it's worth) is quickly terminated. Did you put your work related injury in their accident book ? The only time these unscruplious employers will pay any notice to issues raised is when the whistle is blown to The HSE or they receive a claim out of the blue into a work related injury sustained on one of their jobs.
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