Archive for the ‘Trolleys’ Category

Don’t get dropped by a dodgy lifting bin

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Arranging to buy the right bin, cage or pallet to use when lifting stock can be a nightmare at the best of times – budgeting, knowing what specs to look for and establishing how heavy your loads will be can mean the difference between thousands of dollars.

This isn’t all there is to worry about, however, with Aust Standards imposing stark regulations for what is and is not ok when it comes to manufacturing bins for lifting purposes.

So not only do you need to find a product that suits your department’s budget, but you need to be absolutely sure that the company supplying this container adheres to the latest industry standards as outlined in AS4991.

For example, did you know that in Section 2 of this document, it is stated that,

 “Where a lifting device is being designed for general application, the lifting device shall be capable of withstanding:

 (a) a minimum design load of 1.5 times the capacity;

(b) a proof load in accordance with Section 12;

(c) a minimum of 20 000 lifting cycles at the working load limit/rated capacity and

(d) induced horizontal forces.”

If we break this down, this means that to lift a product weighing two tonnes, the bin actually needs to work with a design load of three tonnes. Or, if you’re trying to lift an eight tonne load, your bin needs to work with a design load of a whopping twelve tonnes.

Further, “a proof load in accordance with Section 12” means that, except as otherwise determined by Clause 12.3, lifting devices need to be proof-loaded in accordance with the following:

 (a) Up to 10 t = 2 × working load limit or rated capacity.

(b) 10–160 t = (1.04 × working load limit or rated capacity) + 9.6 t.

(c) Above 160 t = 1.1 × working load limit or rated capacity.

Again, this would mean your two tonne load requires a bin proof loaded to four tonnes.

The BMP105 Dumpster Bin from Bremco is manufactured completely to AS4991

The next stipulation, “a minimum of 20 000 lifting cycles at the working load limit” is one of the most important things you, as a customer, can be aware of. Your new bin should, according to Australian Standards, be capable of at least 20 000 lifting cycles in its life span.

A lifting cycle is considered to start when the load is lifted, and to end at the moment the limiting device is ready to start the next lifting operation.

 Finally, “capable of withstanding induced horizontal forces” means that if it gets knocked, it won’t fall over.

If you have any doubts about purchasing a bin, you should always ask your supplier or manufacturer for further clarification – don’t let it slide or you may find yourself getting dropped in hot water. Metaphorically speaking.

Posted in Trolleys | No Comments »

Avoid fines and accountability with the right solutions

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

On Thursday, 14 December 2006, a company was convicted and fined $17,500 after a worker suffered serious injuries when a steel beam fell on him while the centre of gravity was being established[1].

The company in question was deemed to have failed to identify all reasonable foreseeable hazards and assess (to minimise) risks.

The company failed to provide what was termed, “a safe system” for lifting beams using the mobile crane.

Large Goods Cage

A large goods cage (crane lift), such as this one, is capable of safely lifting 2 tonne of awkward or large products.

The company was punished for failing to provide adequate training, information and instruction to the employee.

Risk and Hazard Assessment are vital for many workplaces, but especially in industrial, transportation and storage industries.

A risk assessment explores the likelihood, degree of exposure and consequences of a particular risk associated with an activity or job. Risk is defined as the probability (likelihood) of harm or damage occurring from exposure to a hazard, and the likely consequences of that harm or damage.

Hazard identification, meanwhile, explores the “what’s dangerous” side of workplace practices.

A hazard is something that has the potential to cause human injury, ill health and/or damage to property (machinery and equipment) or to the environment.

Hazard identification questions every aspect of a scenario and judges the safety of that scenario by asking, “What’s dangerous?”

This could mean assessing who is present, what equipment is in use, whether pedestrians have access, whether a speed limit is in place, checking load restraint, designating loading areas and exclusion areas, whether reversing vehicles can intrude, checking blind spots, considering the installation of barriers and much more.

That being said, basic hazard identification and risk assessment is not enough.

It is vital to implement key structural changes to your workplace, system and employee behaviour.

Workplace productivity and time efficiencies are of a high concern for all businesses, but (as we’ve said before on this very blog) speed and convenience often comes at the price of occupational health and safety or at the risk of a workplace injury.

Investing in key materials handling solutions is the best insurance against risk.

Heavy duty equipment have high ratings than standard attachments. Do you know what you're covered to carry?

Heavy duty equipment has higher ratings than standard attachments. Do you know what you're covered to carry?

There is a myriad of forklift attachments, drum handling, load shifting, lifting and hoisting, storage and access or custom manufactured solutions available to you.

Safety cages, picking cages, extension slippers or extension poles are just the tip of the iceberg.

Jibs, tipper bins, forklift spreaders, adaptors and container ramps all provide unique and valuable solutions to key challenges that exist in every workplace.

[1] Government of South Australia, Safework SA.

Posted in Custom Manufacture, Drum Handling, Forklift Attachments, Lifting and Hoisting, Storage and Access, Trolleys | 10 Comments »

Don’t risk it!

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

It is a fact that, across Australia, transport and storage has the highest injury rate for all industries, at nearly double the current average of 16 claims per 1000 employees.

It is a fact that the top three hazards to these industries are:

  • Pedestrians
  • Forklift Operators
  • Makeshift Platforms

Collisions with pedestrians and having loads fall onto pedestrians account for approximately 29% of injuries and 56% of fatalities.

This figure, however, is closely followed by the recorded injuries resulting from forklift operations.

Forklift Safety Cage

Forklift Safety Cages are a convenient, practicle and low-risk alternative to dodgy makeshift platforms. Because, why risk it?!

Rollovers and unexpected movement of forklifts crushing operators account for 29% of fatalities, while slips, trips and falls when mounting or disembarking from forklifts are responsible for around 27% of injury to forklift operators.

Adding to this are the 19% of injuries in these workplaces accounted for by forklift operators who experience body stressing (sprains and strains) while driving forklifts.

Finally, rounding out the top three hazards are the 12% of fatalities in the industry consistently caused by makeshift platforms elevated on forklift fork arms.

The consequences for unsafe work practices can be both lethal and costly, ranging from lost employee time and injury to increased work cover levies, punitive action and prosecution.

At best, these events result in poor publicity for the company. At worst, plant/department downtime, prohibition and prosecution can bring a company to its knees both financially and legally.

Don't risk your workers, your company, or the job at hand.

Safe practices are always worth it - don't risk your workers, your company or the job at hand

How can you arm yourself against the risk of unsafe work practices?

Risk assessment and hazard identification will quickly highlight key problems areas. Often these challenges can then be overcome with materials handling equipment, forklift attachments, safe storage and access solutions, or a mix of these.

Trolleys, container ramps and forklift drum attachments can mean the difference between meeting a deadline and failing it, and they can also mean the difference between a job well done, and a tragedy.

Don’t let budget restraints cost you so much more than a one-off investment in good quality equipment.

Forklift safety cages, lifting hoists, drum spill containments pallets, gas cylinder storage cages or fully certified lifting jibs can increase productivity, certainly. More importantly, though, is that these items can increase safety, decrease risk, and decrease liability.

That insurance can be worth more then you’ll ever know. If you’re lucky.

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Posted in Custom Manufacture, Drum Handling, Forklift Attachments, Lifting and Hoisting, Storage and Access, Trolleys | 22 Comments »

Safe Storage of Gas Bottles

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

  Storing and using gas cylinders on site can be stressful, risky business.

 The myriad of regulation and policy on how, when, where and even who can store gas cylinder bottles – whether empty or not – can make this a confusing and frustrating responsibility.

 Check out the information below to gain some clarity on the situation. 

 First of all, LP gas is heavier than air and will accumulate in low areas and depressions, rather than dissipate. 

 Thus, LP gas cylinders must be positioned so the pressure relief valve is in the vapour space of the cylinder. This means the cylinder must be stored in an upright position. 

Transporting Gas Cages

The safe transportation and movement of gas cylinders is another issue to consider. Are you as safe as you could or should be?

 If you find your cylinders have been lying on their side, you should place the cylinder in the upright position and wait at least 30 minutes before using. 

 

Additionally, LP gas cylinders stored on site should be kept as low as is reasonably practicable within the limits of safe storage facilities, and collected and disposed of on a regular basis. 

 Australian Standards demonstrate, in AS1596 (The Storage and Handling of LP Gases published 2008), that LP gas cylinders must be handled carefully and not allowed to fall upon one another, or subjected to undue shock. 

 

Further within these requirements is the condition that LP gas cylinders must be secured to prevent movement or physical damage, and AS2473(Valves for Compressed Gas Cylinders) ascertains that LP gas cylinders must be safe-guarded against physical damage to the valves. 

Gas Cylinder Cages are a secure storage solution, and should be kept away from sunlight.

Gas Cylinder Cages are a secure storage solution, and should be kept away from sunlight.

You can ensure that your gas cylinders are prevented from falling or being knocked over by securing them using a racking system or with a non abrasive, coated chain. It is very important that you guarantee this chain will not be abrasive to the cylinder markings and paint work. 

 It is very important to always locate your gas stores outdoors. A secure cage that is protected from sunlight is ideal.

This is because gas cylinders need to be stored in well ventilated areas to prevent build up of escaped gases. 

Unless you’re utilizing a building that has been designed for gas storage, with appropriate fire rated walls and (usually mechanical) ventilation, you must not store gas cylinders (of any kind) indoors. 

Where gases are stored indoors, additional (and often costly) safety considerations and control measures need to be considered to ensure safe practice and non-liability. 

Cylinders should never be stored in areas or structures constructed of combustible materials.  

The Queensland Government advises that, “gas stored indoors should be located on the ground floor away from other dangerous goods (e.g. Class 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 7, 8 or 9, etc) and combustible liquids (e.g. diesel fuel) stores by at least 5 m or more”. 

Meanwhile, storage below ground level should be avoided – especially if flammable, toxic or asphyxiated gases are present.

Lifting gas cylinders without jostling, shaking and workplace risk is quite a challenge.

Lifting and raising gas cylinders can be a safety logistical nightmare. Are you covered by the right solution?

 

Also, remember that as it states above, heavier than air gases need to be stored with caution to avoid storage where these gases can collect in low lying areas. 

Finally, if you’re storing your gas cylinders indoors, avoid storing them in significant quantities near to or inside protected places where members of the public may assemble.

This could mean places of worship, theatres, age care facilities, schools, hospitals, property boundaries and any other places where, in your judgement, members of the public may assemble. 

Ultimately, storage of gas cylinders requires sound knowledge and understanding of – or consultation with someone experienced with – AS4332 (The Storage and Handling of Gases in Cylinders). 

 Copies of Australian Standards can be expensive, difficult to access and even more difficult to fully understand. Multiple Australian Standards can overlap, interweave and refer to one another. For these reasons, people often choose to consult with professionals. 

If this means you, make sure your source of information is clear, experienced and has been proven to work in this industry for a long time. 

Gas Cylinder Pallets are an open and easy access alternative to cages

Gas Cylinder Pallets are easier to access with transport trolleys.

Finally, anyone working with LPG, and any other workplaces where flammable gases are the dominant gas present, are urged to contact the Department of Mines and Energy for safe practice.

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Posted in Storage and Access, Trolleys | 12 Comments »

Is your trolleys built to standard?

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Be safety smart!

Every day, hundreds of different tasks are completed by people in all sectors, all requiring the use of a load-shifting trolley system.

Designers and manufacturers continue to produce a variety of trolleys and hand trucks in response to this demand, meaning that when it comes time to buy, the selection can be overwhelming.

From trolleys, hand trucks, load shifters, and dolly carts to A-frames, scissor lifts, porta-lifts and easy-tilts: choosing the right trolley can make all the difference to the operations at hand (and the profit gained performing them).

The Easy Tilt Twin

The myriad of trolleys on the market is constantly changing and evolving to suit growing demand

There are designs and styles to suit all situations and purposes – collections of different cylinder trolleys, sack trucks, couriers and order pickers, just to name a few.

It is important, therefore, to ensure that what you’re purchasing is suitable for what you’re planning to carry.

Although there are no current Australian Standards* guiding the manufacture of trolleys, there have been many studies into safe and recommended trolley design.

Lawson, Potiki and Watson (1994, p. 55) found that hand-pushed trolleys should be at least 80mm narrower than the narrowest doorway, while towed trolleys should be 500mm narrower (more, if towed in a train).

When purchasing a new trolley, Drury (2010, p.33) advises selecting a strong and rugged construction, with steel parts well-protected and wheels that reflect the ground conditions.

This means selecting small swivel wheels for interior environments, and larger-diameter wheels with pneumatic tyres for areas where the ground is uneven or muddy and the loads are likely to be heavy.

Lawson, Potiki and Watson (1994, p. 55) state that trolley length should be between 1.5 to 2 times the width; otherwise it will not track smoothly around corners. Also, don’t avoid investigating or experimenting when seeking out the best castor arrangements to suit your particular needs.

Image sourced from Fallshaw Wheels and Castors

Both Drury (2010, p. 33) and Lawson, Potiki and Watson (1994, p. 55) advise to check the various heights of your trolley before deciding on your purchase. This means checking for appropriate loading heights, and convenient handle heights for pushing/pulling the cart or barrow. It is advised that a maximum height of 1400mm (including the goods to be carried) is appropriate to enable a clear line of sight (Lawson, Potiki and Watson, 1994, p. 55) (Drury, 2010, p. 33).

“As a rough guide, the weight of the trolley
is usually 15% to 20% of the load it is to carry.

“For the castor to function properly, the
frame of the trolley must be strong enough
to hold the castor head truly vertical so it
can swivel freely.

“The frame must not bend under the impacts
that inevitably occur. The most commom
cause of castors not tracking properly is that
the mounting has twisted off square.”
                          – Fallshaw Wheels and Castors

 Visit www.bremco.com.au for more information.

References

Drury, S (2010) Trolleys In Horticulture Week Vol. 1, No. 1 pages 33 – 35.

Lawson, J, Potiki, J & Watson, H (1994) Ergonomic Guidelines for Manually- Handed Trolleys in the Health Industry Published by the Central Sydney Health Service, NSW.

*Current Australian Standards = AS2615 applies only to hydraulic trolley jacks and AS3847 applies only to standard shopping trolleys, specifically for guidelines when transporting children.

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Posted in Trolleys | 13 Comments »