Pull or push a pallet truck?
Pushed pallet truck with ergonomically high handles
Pulling and/or pushing is one of the classic, everyday activities when using pallet trucks . When goods are heavy or bulky, they are loaded onto pallet trucks. Working with pallet trucks reduces the physical strain. However, there are basic aspects of handling that must be observed in order to avoid harming the body.
Table of contents
Special features when pulling and pushing
When pulling or pushing pallet trucks, almost the entire body is used: the spine, knees, hip joints and the entire hand-arm-shoulder area. A low-stress and safe way of working protects the body, guarantees safety and prevents accidents or overexertion. To do this, you have to know how the musculoskeletal system works!
To pull and push, forces must be applied that act in the horizontal plane. An upright person can only exert a small amount of force in this direction. There are two possibilities.
- The body is tilted in the direction of the force.
- The body swing is exploited.
For activities such as accelerating, braking or changing direction, both options are combined. Even pulling or pushing always takes place with the body tilted. As long as maximum forces are not used in these positions, there are no health concerns. For longer-term loads, 15% of the maximum force must not be exceeded!
Worth knowing : Pushing a stroller requires 15% of human body strength, whereas pushing a wheelbarrow requires 50% and pushing a cupboard on a carpet requires 100%.
Driven
Often, when pulling and/or pushing, more force is used than is good for the body. One reason for this is that the weight of the load is difficult to estimate. Damage can occur, as it does when lifting and carrying, in the following forms:
- Permanent muscle tension can lead to an overload of tendons, muscles, ligaments and joints
- Tendons and joints react with irritation and inflammation
- twisting of the knee joint
- twisting of the spine, especially the cervical spine
- Excessive curvature of the lumbar spine
- Pulling movements strain the shoulder joint
Overloads can occur due to rapid changes in direction or abrupt braking , but also as a result of sudden slipping and violent impacts .
Risk reduction - Suitable means of transport
According to the Load Handling Ordinance, suitable measures and work equipment must be used to reduce the risk of injury. However, employees must also avoid unnecessary and overly stressful activities. Aids can help. These are selected according to the following criteria.
- Type, size, weight of the goods being transported, route length, route condition, frequency of use
Basic principles to follow are as follows:
- Low additional weight
- Well-running tires
- Sharp brakes, possibly parking brakes
- High inherent stability
- ergonomic handles
- Frei Sicht
Supporting means of transport include, for example, transport carts, transport rollers and transport trolleys, but also lifting equipment such as slings or hand cable winches .
practical tips
To make transportation as easy as possible, the following points should be observed.
- Flat, firm and clean ground
- Well-maintained tires
- Straight paths without sharp turns or branches
- coasting options or good brakes
- Places that require movement precision are provided with buffers
- illuminate routes well
- No or at least only slight inclinations
- If you have to pull and/or push frequently or if you have to cover long distances, switch to mechanical drives - electric pallet trucks
By the way:
- Carts are difficult to move on soft ground
- If a car has a high center of gravity, there is a risk that it will tip over on small bumps
- Even slight inclines cause high slope forces
- Pushing upwards is power-intensive
- Carrying out work in pairs can help - as soon as this is necessary, an electric pallet truck should be purchased
