Posted By Mark Want Hi Dan, I have always been led to believe that pulling is the least accepted form of moving a load as it puts the most strain on the body and if control is lost it may run into you, however there are certain times where pulling is un-avoidable e.g. unloading a trailer, taking a pallet from under racking etc. If this is what you are being asked to do then do it as safely as you can, ensure your route is clear etc. use your bodyweight and leg muscles to get the load going (rather than arm/back)and ASAIRP try to get behind it and push, If the load does obstruct your view then this may be where the employer is able to reduce the risk by bringing the pallet height down...also reduce the weight then. Hope this helps, Mark

Posted By John D Crosby Hi Dan It will depend on circumstances. When you were trained by supermarkets they were quite correct in that pulling is safer but this is because by pulling you can see where customers are when approaching junctions etc rather than hitting them with a pushed load. I am not aware of any guidance from HSE specifically about this but there is some about roll cages which mentions the visibility problem when making an assessment. The leaflet can be downloaded from the HSE website with this link http://safetycenter.navy...hoto/archive/default.htm You might want to consider asking for the reasons that the manager and safety department have come up with such a rigid rule when pulling might be the better option in some circumstances and pushing may the best in others. Take care John C

Posted By David Horenr Have you been provided with a copy of the manufacturers operating instructions; these should define the correct method.

Posted By dan bumpsteed Okay first i thank you for all your responses, i find it interesting that there does seem to be some division on this issue so perhaps there is no official guidance but instead the route should be risk assessed and use of common sense should prevail. Sadly the manager in question its fair to say is a my way or the highway type of bloke, and from my experience the same could be said for the highest ranks of the company in general so i fear he/they will forbid my use of common sense and make me tow the company line. My main reasons while i feel pulling would be safer and common sense is the environment we are moving the loads through. In actuality it bares very similar resemblance to my Asda store where we have intersecting aisles/junctions and have similar travel distances ie 100ft plus. My first point is that if well god forbid a child was to run out in front of my path then i may not see them as my load will pass through the junction before i would. Pulling i am able to check the route is clear before emerging each time. Also how small would a pallet have to be to see say a toddler in front of a pushed load, impracticly small ill bet seeing as the furniture boxes we move are quite bulky. My last reason i would add that pallet trucks tend to suffer from a jacknife type effect since the pivot point while pushing is close to you, a very small movement from you causes a very large movement in front making the task much more involved to keep it under control. Surely the highest level of control is gained by pulling where the load generally follows your path. Well think ive decided what to do: 1 more research. 2 speak again to the store manager about the issue, showing the facts i have found and my reasons. 3 possibly refuse to move any loads till a proper risk assessment is carried out as i think is my right and also ask for some company re-training Thanks any more help is welcomed...

Posted By toby liberson If you look at this spec it refers to its "easy to PULL chasis" http://www.teknion.co.uk..._truck_challenger_20.htm

Posted By Cas Hi Take a look at link below, shows use of pallet truck, note pulling during movement and pushing to place: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pr...l/flash/transporting.htm Agree with Brando's post. In general it is thought to be better to push than pull but for me, pallet trucks are one exception to the rule. They are difficult to steer over distance and tend to wobble, as anyone with practical knowledge of this equipment will know, therefore should be pulled. Ask you boss to try pushing a few pallets around, hopefully they will see just how petty they are being. Also use link below to read up and get yourself some ammo before approaching your boss: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr228.pdf Furthermore, you could phone your local HSE office and ask to speak anonymously to the duty inspector, who should give you further advice. Good luck, would be interested to hear of the outcome. Cas

Posted By Mitch What about 1 pushing and 1 pulling?

Posted By Mitch Always the problem with pulling as you mentioned earlier either it's pushed on to you or you pull it on to you!!! If in doubt mechanise it?