Back pain is one of the most common ailments facing UK adults, with around 80% of people experiencing back pain at some stage in their lives. Physical factors such as heavy manual work, twisting, pulling, pushing and bending are some of the biggest aggravators of back pain, and one in five workplace injuries are related to back complaints. Employers who want to protect their staff from such injuries need to take a look to their fleet of trucks and consider what improvements could be made to ensure the wellbeing of their employees. Pallet trucks are pieces of equipment which were brought into being for the sole purpose of moving heavy loads. The manufacturers of these trucks do not wish to add to the weight of the already heavy loads that they transport, and so lightweight pallet trucks are being rolled out in workplaces across the UK in an attempt to combat back strain.
Phil Chesworth, the Managing Director of Pallet Truck Shop, one of the UK’s premier suppliers of pallet trucks of all types, says, “Lightweight pallet trucks help to ensure staff safety without compromising on elements such as quality and capacity. Their innovative construction often means they are just as sturdy and robust as conventional heavier pallet trucks, and can lift up to 1000kg without adding too much to the weight with their own construction. They are becoming an essential part of many industrial workplaces where employers are offering their workforces higher protection from back strains and other injuries.
The i-ton 1000 Hand Pallet Truck is a prime example of a lightweight pallet truck that can fulfil the demands asked of a truck twice its weight. Weighing in at just 38kg, the truck can carry up to 1000kg safely and easily, thanks to the highly-advanced techno-polymer compound that it is built from. This lightweight material is just as rigid and hardwearing as the steel that pallet trucks are usually made from, but weighs much less and is easier to transport from one place to another. The material is also suitable for use in adverse conditions where chemicals or moisture might be commonplace; this is usually the hallmark of a galvanized or stainless steel pallet truck, but the i-ton 1000’s multifunctional construction has made it a must for many industries.
The lifting mechanism of this lightweight truck can be used with both hands, and the pump elevates the truck to its maximum height in just three strokes; another element of the truck’s construction that will prevent repetitive strain injuries. Staff can manoeuvre this truck around a workplace with ease, even when it is fully loaded, and they can carry out their daily duties without fear of picking up a muscle complaint or that dreaded back strain.