(Editor’s Note: In this week’s Thursday Feature, we take an in-depth look at the most efficient way to do something most companies do every day … loading and unloading truck beds and cargo containers)
Not every heavy load requires you to use specialized equipment such as a forklift, power jack, or manual jack to move it. But if you are moving a heavy object such as a crate, an appliance, or a box manually, it’s important to make safety your top priority.
To avoid injury, whenever you are lifting anything heavy, stand as close to the item as possible with your feet shoulder-width apart and your chin down. Remember to always lift with your legs rather than your back. And keep your back as straight and as vertical as possible.
Never twist your back when carrying heavy items. It’s always a good idea to have someone else help you lift anything heavy, and that both of you keep a firm grip on the object using the entire hand.
Helpful Equipment
Lifting and moving anything heavy is always easier if you use the appropriate equipment, such as a dolly.
When using a utility or appliance dolly, make certain that the blades are centered and completely underneath the load and that you always walk with the in front of you.
Keep the load balanced at all times by making sure the heaviest items are on the bottom. Never load items onto a dolly at a height higher than your chest.
If you are using an appliance dolly that is specially designed for moving items such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, use a strap the hold the item in place. When going up and down steps, get another person to help you support the item.
Preloading a Truck
Before you begin loading heavy items onto a truck, take a moment to plan out the process. Just a few minutes consideration can save you a lot of problems later.
If all of your items are going to the same location, stage your items so that the largest are ready to be loaded first. Then load the truck in reverse order to each item’s weight and bulk.
If you are going to be making a series of delivery stops, however, you will want to load your items in the reverse sequence to which they will be delivered. In other words, the last items you will be delivering will be loaded deepest in the truck and the first items will be closest to the back door.
Building Tiers
As much as possible, try to keep heavy items from sliding around in the back of the truck. This can damage the products, as well as slashing, cutting, and gouging the floor of the truck. Use a cloth pad underneath items if you need to slide them out to the point where they can be hand carried or loaded onto a dolly.
Create a “tier” by loading items from floor to ceiling as tightly as possible. The heaviest items should be packed on the lowest levels so they can serve as a base for the lighter items.
Fill in any openings with light items and keep the most fragile items toward the top of each tier.
Construct your load by building one tier at a time. Remember that items of a similar width should be loaded in the same tier, and each tier should be completely built before beginning another one.
The firs tier should be completely inside the very front of the truck or container. Filling your truck in this way lets you get as much use of the available space as possible. A tight load also minimizes shifting.
Securing Your Load
Use ties, straps or tension rods to secure your loads, using the rings on the inside of the truck or container to tie them down.
Anything on wheels should be secured separately to keep it from rolling around during transport. Keep wheeled items in the middle of the load, not on the end nearest the door.
The load is best secured when the last tier is completed from floor to ceiling. If it doesn’t, there’s more of a possibility that the other tiers to can move forward, increasing the potential for damage.