Posted By TomP
Anybody come across any solutions to reduce the manual hanlding risks of loading / unloading transit vans with 25kg sacks of gravel etc.

Staff load around 30 on the van at the builders merchant by forklift which are unloaded on site by hand and the re loaded by hand once the excess is known (a few days later).

Looking for a portable ramp, hoist, slinging system or similar to reduce the repetitive nature, twisting etc.

Off the shelf would be best.

Posted By David Bannister
Is it possible to arrange for the palletised goods to be delivered to site and hoisted off the wagon close to where needed? The excess will still have to be cleared but this removes part of the handling.

Posted By Stupendous Man
Better estimation of the quantity required and planning of the job would be a first step. Avoid having to go out at short notice to collect when the merchant can deliver.

A different vehicle would be another measure - how about a tipper bodied van (or pick-up) with a higher floor which will alleviate some (but not all) of the various twisting motions.

Smaller bags are not really an option, the material is fairly dense and the weight saving per bag may be offset by it being more difficult to grip due to being too small. At the end of the day, you will simply end up lifting the same weight overall - is there a great benefit in performing more lifts?