One of the most common reasons for employee absence in the warehousing sector, musculoskeletal injuries caused by lifting are something every employer wants to safeguard against in order to keep productivity up.
Lifting, carrying or putting down objects, falls and repetitive movement or strain is to blame for many injuries in the workplace, and in warehouses, factories and manufacturing plants especially, such problems can see employees off work for several weeks – putting even greater strain on the remaining workforce.
In order to protect staff, here are three of the most common musculoskeletal injuries caused by lifting and which pieces of lifting equipment can help reduce the risk of them occurring.
Back pain
Over 40% of all musculoskeletal injuries affect the back and can be caused by lifting heavy or awkward loads.
Resulting in localised pain and limited movement of the affected area, those with back injuries find even basic tasks such as putting on a pair of shoes difficult. It is common for several weeks of rest and time off work needing to be taken in order for the individual to fully recover.
Lift tables are a useful piece of lifting equipment that every warehouse operative should have access to and are particularly handy for employees that are tasked with processing orders that are stored at height. The ability to place an item on to the table safely reduces the strain on the back and can help transport heavy parcels or packages around the warehouse or factory floor with ease.
Upper limb injuries
Caused by repetitive movement, upper limb injuries can affect the arms and shoulders of workers and can be rather painful. Again, this type of injury can severely limit the movement of upper limbs and is often seen in employees that are continually reaching for orders at height or picking up heavy items at ground level.
Weighing scale trucks are ideal for warehouses, factories and other materials handling hubs seeking to safeguard their employees from repetitive strain injuries to the upper limbs as they not only give the ability to weigh packages, but they stop the need to carry such items around the warehouse manually.
Falls and trips
Although most warehouses take great care to avoid slips, trips and falls at work, accidents can and do happen and often result in damage to the back or upper limbs. From a dull ache on impact to swelling and stiffness to the whole body, most accidents of this type occur in warehouses when the employee is trying to retrieve an item at height.
Mobile aerial work platforms and platform lifts offer an ideal solution for any staff member tasked with retrieving packages at height safely and allow the employee to access the item and bring it down to ground level safely.