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Transporting goods or machinery from one area to another is a vital part of the manual handling industry, and forms the basis of many warehouses, factories and distribution centres. There are pallet trucks and manual stackers which can help with the transportation and storage of such goods, but when exceedingly heavy items or the machinery itself needs to be moved, ordinary trucks are often incompatible and unsuitable for the job. Machinery moving skates help to make this task much simpler and faster by spreading the load evenly across four different points and allowing ease of movement.

Machinery moving skates function as a result of heavy-duty sealed bearings, which help to spread heavy load easily and make them easier to manoeuvre. Loads can be lifted using either roller crowbars or jacks in order to position the skates, and then they can be moved around a workplace with ease. All sets of moving skates are provided in fours, with either two or four turntable skates within. The turntable skates are used for steering purposes, and can be locked with a lock pin if the load is simply being moved in a straight line, to prevent veering off course and causing injury or damage. The skates generally have a capacity of at least a few tonnes. PU wheels aid grip and allow smooth transportation, and the steel centres provide a robust and durable base for such movement.

The useful skates come with not only a promise of making transportation easier, but also with a myriad of guidelines which must be followed to ensure safe and effective practice. The surface on which they are used is very important; skates must only be utilised on a smooth and hard surface which is fully capable of withstanding the full weight of any load. A surface such as grass or a potholed forecourt can cause the load to become unbalanced, compromising the safety of those operating the skates and those in the immediate vicinity. If possible, the entire route that the skates will take whilst carrying the load should be cleaned of any oil, grease or debris which may potentially hinder its progress. Operators must also assess the load and consider the best position for the skates; if the load is of an awkward or cumbersome shape, it can be difficult to get the cargo to rest in the way it should. Weight should ideally be equally spread across the top pads of the skates.

Machinery moving skates are an innovation which can cut out a lot of time and effort for employees, allowing them to manoeuvre heavy goods and machinery through workplaces with no difficulty. If the guidelines are followed and precautions are taken to ensure the safety of all involved, these skates can drastically increase productivity and allow employees to streamline the working process of their day.

Chocks and pallet truck stops are some of the most essential pieces of equipment within a workplace. They help to prolong the life span of a pallet truck by keeping them in great condition for longer, and they cost much less than simply replacing a pallet truck every time it is damaged in transit. Pallet trucks are the integral force behind many workplaces, so it makes a great deal of sense for the managers of these businesses to keep them in great condition.

The freight, distribution and manufacturing sectors depend almost entirely on the functionality of pallet trucks, and as a result of their vast usage every day, from receiving goods in delivery bays to transporting them around warehouses, they often sustain some damage. Pallet truck chocks, or stops, can be kept in a good condition for longer, which can only be a positive for the managers of these industrial workplaces.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Trucks UK, one of the country’s leading suppliers of pallet trucks and manual handling equipment, says, “Using a pallet truck chock is one of the most efficient ways to protect a pallet truck when they are stationery. They prevent them from rolling around when not in use, reducing damage caused to pallet trucks and to other cargo which might be damaged in the process. They can have the effect of cutting costs dramatically for businesses, and they are a crucial tool which should be used whenever necessary to keep pallet trucks secure.

You’ll know when it’s time to add a brand new pallet truck to your existing fleet, and when the time comes, there are a lot of decisions to be made. Do you need a truck that will comply with a strict budget? Do you need to make a specific addition with a very focused ability, such as the facility to weigh loads or traverse narrow lanes? Will you be favouring capacity over all else? It is important to establish all of these demands before you start the search for a new pallet truck or manual handling equipment.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Trucks UK, one of the country’s leading specialists in such equipment, says, “Buying a new pallet truck is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly; there are so many things to consider, from price to longevity, and from its carrying capacity to its purpose within the workplace. It is important to put a lot of research into the entire process and to get as many opinions and thoughts as possible on the new acquisition to ensure it will fit with the demands of the working environment.

Nationwide retailer Morrisons is to launch a new online delivery service for the entire range of grocery products after striking a deal with grocery delivery service Ocado. After a quarter in which Marks and Spencers chose similarly to focus their energies online, the importance of having a fully functional and highly effective warehouse and distribution centre has become truly paramount to these supermarket giants.

Phil Chesworth, Director of Pallet Trucks UK, one of the country’s premier providers of manual handling solutions and pallet trucks for warehouses and distribution centres, says, “More and more of the big suppliers are placing more emphasis on their online operations, which means that their warehouses, their distribution centres and the efficiency of their delivery services are becoming more important. The faster and more efficiently they will be able to carry out their orders, the better respones they will get from the buying public, who will in turn boost their profits by giving them repeat custom.

Can an initial investment in a high-quality fleet of pallet trucks and other manual handling devices help to benefit a business both in the short-term and in the distant future? Though many businesses are fighting through tough austerity measures, economic volatility and almost endless cut-backs throughout the country, warehouses, factories, building sites and other industrial areas can cut costs in the long-term and improve productivity instantly by investing in the highest quality equipment right now.

Phil Chesworth, Director of Pallet Trucks UK, one of the country’s largest providers of pallet trucks and other manual handling solutions, says, “Pallet trucks are some of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment that will ever be used within a workplace, and it is crucial to many that they are of a high standard. Investing properly in them now, rather than buying second-hand or choosing the budget options, will mean that not only does a business have a better chance of overcoming their personal growth issues, they will be better placed to carry out a high volume of trading when the recession finally eases.

15% of all workplace injuries come from the manufacturing industry, with a large number of these involving equipment such as pallet trucks, manual stacker trucks and aerial work platforms. The economic climate is dire enough for businesses, without the prospect of them facing a large insurance pay-out because of their negligence. There are three main things that businesses can do in order to rule out themselves as the liable party in a potential accident or injury case: they must perform in-depth risk assessments, conduct regular and thorough maintenance and train their staff to the highest level necessary to operate the relevant equipment.

All equipment used in the workplace, whether it is a step ladder or an aerial lift platform should have a comprehensive risk assessment carried out on it before it can be used. This assessment helps to evaluate the risks that employees will face, and encourages the employer conducting the assessment to take the necessary precautions. Carrying out a detailed risk assessment also provides employers with a written record of their evaluation, which could potentially be used as evidence in any insurance claim. Workers should also be encouraged to risk assess and document everything they work with; if they come into contact with a hazardous substance or a faulty piece of equipment, it should be reported. Broken wheels, oil leakages and overloading trucks are all things that should be recorded, with senior staff notified so that precautions can be taken.

Following on from the risk assessment element, all employees and employers should be well versed in the art of maintenance for pump trucks and pallet trucks. Keeping these trucks in prime condition is paramount to the safe operation of this equipment throughout the workplace, and it not only helps to keep the operators safe, it also adds security for the people working around them. Regular inspections and checks should be carried out. Basic checks should be performed daily by those who will operate machinery or equipment, and more thorough checks on a weekly basis should be carried out by senior staff members, who will be able to arrange for professional maintenance or put in an order for a new budget hand pallet truck.

Training is the final piece of the puzzle; if those operating the manual stacker trucks and pump trucks are not adequately trained in all areas of health and safety, there is a high chance that more accidents and injuries will occur around the workplace. Many hand pallet trucks do not require specialist qualifications, but it is important for employees to understand all relevant legislation and safety policies of both the government and the organisation they are working for.

Training, maintenance and risk assessment combined form a safety triangle which, if adhered to, can help to protect not only employees against injury, but also businesses against costly insurance and compensation claims.

There are a great number of factors to consider when choosing a lifting or handling aid, whether choosing to invest in it or simply selecting it to fulfil a certain job from a fleet within a workplace. Choosing the right lifting and transportation aid for the job can not only increase productivity and the volume of work which can be carried out, it also fulfils an employer’s safety obligations to their workforce. Employees have a higher level of protection from accident and injury when they select the right equipment, so ensuring everyone is informed enough to make these decisions is crucial.

“Choosing the right lifting and handling aids is crucial to the efficient operation of any business,” says Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Trucks UK, one of the country’s leading suppliers of manual handling equipment. “Employees need to be able to perform their duties with all the relevant safety assurances, and choosing the right equipment can also contribute to how efficient and productive they are.”

Including employees in the assessment and selection process can increase their understanding of which tools and pieces of equipment are better to use in certain situations. It can also help in the investment process; employees are the ones who operate the machinery, so their word should be integral to the selection of a new piece of equipment. For instance, if a current fleet of hand pallet trucks has loud wheels or needs a higher level of control, employees will be best placed to inform managers of this, so that they can make an informed decision between nylon or PU wheels for their next investments.

There are also a number of practical everyday considerations that must be given. Understanding how apparatus will be maintained and how often it will need maintenance work can help to sway a decision, and the general size of the unit is also crucial. Investing in a long-forked pallet truck might seem like an excellent idea to increase productivity, but it is important to ensure that they fit within the required spaces first. Capacity is also important; just as pallet truck with too little capacity can be dangerous for employees to operate, having a pallet truck with too much capacity is a waste of funds which could be utilised elsewhere.

Many companies offer equipment on a trial basis so that a workplace can get a feel for how it will integrate into their working environment. Consider the training which might be involved for the workforce; will the new equipment require a renewal of manual handling training? If it is operated by a driver, how many will be qualified to operate it? Will more training be necessary? These are all important factors to think about when selecting manual handling equipment for any purpose.

Pallet trucks are some of the most versatile and adaptable pieces of equipment used in many workplaces, and their many different components are what make them so flexible. As well as different types of forks, different capacities and construction materials, hand pallet trucks also boast many different types of wheels which offer them various different abilities and strengths.

One of the most prevalent types of wheel largely used on pallet trucks is the polyurethane wheel, or the ‘PU’ wheel. PU wheels have a great number of benefits within certain workplaces, the most obvious being their sound deadening qualities. They are perfect for working environments where the public will largely be encountered, such as supermarkets or shop floors. Pallets are often used to transport goods around these types of retail area, and with customers around, it’s perhaps not appropriate to have loud wheels disturbing them. PU wheels are also ideal for use on polished floors, such as those in many of the public areas within workplaces. Laminated floors and polished tiles such as those in retail outlets, can become scratched and need to be repaired or replaced if the appropriate wheels are not used. PU wheel pallet trucks provide a smooth and silent operation that can glide over the appropriate surfaces with optimum grip and a high level of control.

Nylon wheels are also very commonly used on pallet trucks and other pieces of manual handling equipment. Nylon wheel pallet trucks have the most hardwearing of the wheel types due to their rigid plastic construction, and they are suitable to much harsher and more adverse environments. They excel over concrete factory floors and provide excellent control and durability in workplaces such as quarries, docks or other environments where corrosion is a possibility. The higher levels of durability offered by nylon wheels also mean that they are slightly louder than their PU counterparts. It is for this reason that they are best used in areas where clients and customers are restricted, such as storage and racking areas, loading bays, workshops and warehouses.

The two basic types of wheel are an excellent illustration of the ways in which hand pallet trucks can cater for a huge range of purposes and needs. For the more public-facing purposes such as in retail environments, the polyurethane wheels are ideally suited. Their slightly softer tyres offer a quieter, smoother operation that is ideal for public areas. Nylon wheels, with their plastic construction and more hardwearing nature, are perfect for the more adverse environments, where rubble or uneven surfaces might be encountered. The two types of wheel cover the majority of different types of flooring and businesses are able to choose the wheel they feel will best suit their demands.

Experts have claimed that the UK has become too heavily preoccupied with work and growth in the financial sector, with many agreeing that investment and expansion within the industrial sector will be the catalyst which will end the grief surrounding the UK economy. Britain has a trade deficit where the export of products and goods are concerned; during the Victorian era, around 20% of the world’s manufacturing output was crafted in Britain. Now that figure stands at around 2%, with many emerging countries expected to overtake in the coming years. The manufacturing industry has taken a hit as a result of the economic slump, and it is believed that kick-starting this sector again would help to drag Britain out of recession for good.  Training, expansion and equipment are all areas where investment would produce great effect. But why invest in manufacturing equipment?

Equipment such as manually-operated pallet trucks, stacker trucks and aerial work platforms are all integral to the processes within a workplace. They facilitate mobility in heavy goods and allow transportation of large loads from A to B. They help in the loading and unloading process, they can be modified in order to hone their function and they are versatile when used alone. The question is, more pertinently, why not invest in such manufacturing equipment?

One of the main strengths that these manual handling units offer is the saving of time for employees. Stacker trucks decrease the time it takes to load or unload a shelf or storage area, whilst hand pallet trucks reduce the time necessary to transport a heavy load from delivery to dispatch. Many of these pieces of equipment also require just one or two operators, freeing up members of staff to carry out other vital tasks and speed up the entire working process.

If a business relies on making deliveries or having a quick turnaround of goods, having a fleet of pallet trucks will undoubtedly speed up the process and allow for a larger volume of orders to be completed in the same amount of time. It is this type of growth and expansion that will help to get the economy back on its feet; larger numbers of orders completed will result in companies being able to expand and grow, eventually purchasing bigger industrial workplaces and being able to deliver goods to places far and wide. Exportation of goods to countries on the continent and beyond will rise as companies expand, and the money coming into the UK will assist in the economic recovery process that has been so slow until now. Investing in equipment may not see immediate results, but the possibilities it opens up for the future of a business are plentiful.

As one of the most ubiquitous pieces of equipment in any UK workplace, it is no surprise that many of the injuries and accidents that take place at work are a result of mishandled or faulty pallet trucks. Though hand pallet trucks are easy to operate and require no specialist training, accidents still occur as a result of external circumstances and complacency regarding safety regulations. Follow these simple and effective rules in order to guarantee pallet trucks safety in the workplace:

Ÿ1. Maximum load limits are there for a reason; even the most hardwearing hand pallet trucks usually have a maximum capacity of between 2500kg – 5000kg. Overloading a pallet truck can cause it to overbalance or malfunction, creating problems not only for the operator using the truck but also to any surrounding staff members. Always keep track of the weights of loads using a weighing scale pallet truck or weigh beams, and ensure that pallet trucks are not overloaded.

Ÿ2.  Use discretion when moving heavy loads up or down inclines. Avoid going up or down ramps if at all possible to keep the truck and the load balanced, but if it is absolutely necessary to navigate a ramp, keep the load uphill from the operator to ensure control of the weight. Forks should be around 4 – 6 inches above the ground to ensure they don’t catch on the ramp or the floor when going up an incline.

Ÿ3.  Many hand pallet trucks these days are fitted with brakes for added security, but for those that are still stopped manually, ensure plenty of stopping room when slowing down, and be aware of other people in the area. Heavy loads can create a lot of momentum when slowing down without brakes, so it is vital to ensure that the truck is slowed down sufficiently to come to a controlled halt.

Ÿ4.  Pull, rather than push the loads along flat surfaces for increased manoeuvrability. Pulling the load allows the operator to travel ahead of the truck, checking for hazards and other people. Pushing from behind can become difficult and operators cannot check for potential items littering the aisles or other equipment that the forks could catch on.

Ÿ5. When storing a pallet truck, ensure that the handle is left in the ‘up’ position to eliminate any trips or falls, and lower the forks so that they are not sticking out at an awkward angle. If a designated storage area is not available, ensure that the forks are not pointing out into any walkways.