Following on from yesterdays post on putting your staff at risk, we have some useful points to share on safety in manual handling.

Firstly, assess whether you need to move it at all….

For example:

• Does a large workpiece really need to be moved or can the activity safely be done where the item already is?

Consider automation, particulalry for new processes and think about mechanisation and using handling aids….

For example:

• A conveyor
• Scissor Table
• Electric or hand powered hoist
• Pallet truck
• Mezzanine Floor Lift

Automated plants still need maintenance and Advanced Handling offer a full aftersales service should you have any problems or need any advice, simply call us on 01778 345365

View some of our materials handling solutions in action

Did you know that over a third of all over-three-day injuries reported each year to HSE and local authorities are caused by manual handling - the transporting or supporting of loads by hand or bodily force.

The most recent survey of self reported work-related illness estimated that in 2001/02   1.1 million people in Great Britain suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused or made worse by their current or past work.  An estimated 12.3 million working days were lost due to these work-related MSDs. On average, each sufferer took about 20 days off in that 12 month period.

Prevention and control of MSDs, such as manual handling injuries has been identified as a priority by the Health and Safety Commission.   The Regulations require employers to:

• Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable
• Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided
• Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable

Employees have duties too:

• Follow appropriate systems of work laid down for their safety
• Make proper use of equipment provided for their safety
• Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters
• Inform the employer if they identify hazardous handling activities
• Take care to ensure that their activities do not put others at risk

As you know we have recently joined the social networking scene and another way to keep up to date with our latest news and product info is to become a fan on our Facebook site:

Chat to like minded people in the Materials Handling industry and view our product photo albums to be the first to hear about our new projects and news from Advanced Handling.

Advanced Handling are now on Twitter.  Follow us at www.twitter.com/adv_handling

Keep up to date with our latest news and product launches!

We are pleased to annouce that we will be exhibiting at the International Materials Handling Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham this year.

Dates have been confirmed as 16-19th November.  Come and visit us on stand 18M171

IMHX 2010

Many of our customers have specific requirements that are not exactly met by the standard range.
Always looking beyond the brief, Advanced Handling are dedicated to providing the solution, turning ‘me-too products’ into ‘just for you products’.

Using advanced design technology, we are able to create a visual to show how the finished product will look and work.

See our Bespoke Pallet Jack designed for a supermarket brand below:

We are pleased to announce that Advanced Handling have recently been awarded with Safe Contractor accreditation which is a scheme that assesses the health & safety competency of contractors and service providers.

Safe Contractor Approved

We are launching product videos through our website over the next few months.  This will enable customers to view the benefits of our range of products easily and effectively to find the right solution suitable for their business.

We are currently working with an agency to develop and design a brand new website scehduled to go live at the end of January. The new site will at as our main communications channel for new and existing customers.

Not only will the design & layout be updated, we will also be revising the content and introducing new areas in order to make the site easier to navigate and find the product that you are looking for.

In addition to this, we will be adding product videos to demonstrate the benefits of our product range and allow you to view them in operation.

Let us know your comments/feedback.