MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING
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315-002-01-IGDO © 2019, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Pushing and Pulling
Eliminate pushing or pulling by ensuring the use of:
powered conveyors, powered trucks, slides, chutes, monorails, air tables and similar mechanical aids
Make loads easier to push or pull by ensuring the use of:
carts, hand trucks and dollies with large diameter casters and good bearings, and
grips or handles on loads or mechanical aids, placed to provide optimal push force and prevent
awkward postures
Hand Pallet Trucks
Avoid moving loads up and down ramps
Do not carry riders on the back
Maintain good load balance by centring the forks evenly under the load and use both forks for lifting
Do not overload the truck
Moving loads using the neutral position reduces operator fatigue
Maintain a controllable speed; there are no brakes
Park the pallet truck in a safe, level place with forks lowered; leave the handle in the "up" position
to eliminate tripping hazards
Hand Trucks (including wheelbarrows, dolly trucks and two-wheeled
hand trucks)
Two-wheeled hand trucks should be equipped with brakes
Heavy objects should be loaded before lighter ones, and the load kept
as low as possible
Do not overload the hand truck; the load should not obstruct your view
Use proper lifting techniques
Push and balance the truck while always walking forward
Do not hold the truck in place with your foot
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