Introduction Guidelines > Employee Employer Evacuation First Aid Legislation Reporting Injuries Resources Deskwork > Boxes Checking out Discharging Shelves > Compactus Moving books Shelving Shelf reading Sorting books Trolleys Other tasks > Exercises Lifting Moving collections Moving other objects Newspapers Posture Planning a move Slide it Stocktake Varying tasks Index

Planning a move

Size up the load:

Test the weight of the object you want to lift.
If in doubt, ask for help from fellow workers.
Try to break the load down into smaller parts if possible.

Assess the situation:

Before lifting or carrying a heavy object, ask yourself the following questions:

Can you lift this load safely, or is it a two-person lift?
How far will you have to carry the load?
Is the path clear of clutter, cords, slippery areas, overhangs, stairs, curbs or uneven surfaces?
Will you encounter closed doors that need to be opened?

Plan where and how you are going to move the object before you start. This will in most cases eliminate the risk of having to move it twice.

Check out the object you are moving.

How much does it weigh?
Do you need a trolley?
Is the object stable, e.g. are filing cabinet drawers locked?
Do you need to remove the contents first e.g drawers?

Know your limits - if you can't move it, ask for help.

Have more staff on hand than are required. An extra set of hands makes the object you are moving easier to lift and move.