Every day can bring its own dilemmas, whether it’s hiring the right air-conditioning technician or securing the most suitable works premises. Another issue that people can face is the need to move items that require heavy lifting. Not only do you want to do this in the most cost-effective way possible, but you also want to do it safely.
If this is a challenge you are currently needing to address, this article will provide you with some helpful tips to getting the job done effectively and safely.
Use A Professional Removal Firm
If you are planning to move house or change your business premises, it’s often wise to pay a specialist company to do the job. Not only will they save you time and effort, but they can also take on all of the heavy lifting responsibilities. Another benefit is that these companies are often insured against loss or damage to your items should this occur during transportation. This means if anything happens on route there is no need to worry about paying to replace them – it will be covered by their insurance.
Many people begin the process by trawling the internet for professional removal firms. Knutsford, Cheshire is a market town 14 miles southwest of Manchester. According to Parker’s Removals in Knutsford, many people go online to request no-obligation removal quotes. Whether it’s for domestic or commercial work, they often read customer reviews before deciding on a company.
Learn How To Lift Things Properly
You may be wanting to cut corners financially by doing the work yourself rather than paying people who are trained to lift things correctly. If you end up off work with back problems, however, it will prove to be a false economy. If you are going to do the heavy lifting yourself, It’s important not to neglect your health and wellbeing. Most injuries sustained from lifting (including back and neck issues) are preventable ones.
There are lots of things you can learn on the internet about manhandling skills. Whilst some courses can be completed online, there’s nothing better than attending a physical session and getting some practice in a safe environment. If you’re using manhandling equipment like a pallet truck, it’s important to remember that they require specific training beforehand as well.
Know Your Limits
When performing heavy lifting tasks, know your limits and don’t push yourself. If you notice that you’re becoming tired, take a break to rest for five minutes or so before continuing with the next job. Take breaks regularly and try not to rush through the process.
Be wise over how much you can lift on your own. If there are fridges, washing machines, cookers and heavy furniture which are too heavy to handle, know when you need to ask for help. It may be that you have family members or friends who can help you out. Sometimes it’s not just the weight that’s the problem. An item may be relatively light, yet be bulky and awkward to move around. Once again you may need some extra help to prevent the item (or your walls) from becoming damaged.
Use The Right Equipment
In some cases, there will be equipment you can use to make the whole thing easier and safer. When doing so, make sure that is specifically designed for the job in hand. Also, ensure the equipment has been tested and approved by a professional body.
A lifting belt or straps can be used to reduce the risk of back injuries and can provide better control of heavy objects. Other examples are forklifts and pallet trucks, hoists, jacks and winches. Furniture sliders can help to reduce the risk of back injuries when moving heavy objects. They are ideal for sliding large, bulky items across hard floors. A dolly is a low, flat-topped platform on small wheels and it can be used to move heavy objects with ease.
When you need to move something up or downstairs, it’s helpful if this can be done without lifting the object too far off the ground. For instance, try using a dolly with pneumatic wheels which will let you push and pull even heavy loads easily over short distances. It may also be possible to use smaller equipment such as hand trucks in order to save your back from injury. Many types of equipment can be rented from companies rather than you need to buy them for single use only.
Pack The Items Tighly And Correctly
Use small boxes for heavy objects such as books, and wrap certain items in plastic/blankets to avoid damage. Place sheets of paper between dishes before packing them into a box so they won’t knock against each other during transportation.
Packing bottles is just like wrapping parcels: pack the heaviest items at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. This way you’ll prevent breakages from occurring when you are loading up the van. If there are any gaps left after loading, fill the spaces with crumpled newspapers so that fragile items like vases or lamps won’t get broken in transit by sliding around.
Be Organised With Your Packing
As we said earlier, you should pack heavy objects at the bottom and lighter things towards the top. Label everything so that it will be easier to know what things are and where they need to be put when you arrive at the new destination. Make sure the most important items will be coming out first, for instance, important medical equipment or food items that need refrigeration or freezing immediately.
Many people get hurt in these scenarios through slips and trips. To avoid this, pack things neatly and make sure there is nothing left lying around (e.g. wires and cables) that could be tripped on. The same thing applies if you discover slippery floor surfaces – take action immediately to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Now that you’re armed with these top tips, you’ll be better able to move your heavy items- whether it’s at home or work. The process will become much simpler and safer, protecting both yourself and your moveable items.
