Problems with Pushing/Pulling Limits Using a Pallet Jack

Pallet jacks are commonly used in manual material handling, and almost as often, operators run into frustrating, if not dangerous, challenges working with them. Unfortunately, even when employees attempt to use them safely, coworkers and bosses can create problems by overloading and leaving the operator to handle too big a load alone.

We found an inquiry on the OSHA website that demonstrates this common problem.

“I have a friend who delivers heavy pallets by the use of a pallet jack. He must push the pallets on to a hydraulic lift gate on his truck, lower the load and then push/pull it to a designated point, up to 100 yards from the truck. It is not unusual for the pallets to hold up to 2300 lbs. He is very frustrated by his co-workers/boss overloading the pallets to the point where he has to ask for help at delivery points. Is there an OSHA limit as to how much he should be required to handle by himself?”

The OSHA expert who responds has 20 years experience in management of occupational safety, health and workers` compensation and safety training. He shines a light on how difficult a situation this friend is in:

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Uses and Advantages of Pallet Trucks

Manual pallet trucks have a very interesting history. The Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century saw the need for specific equipment to safely handle heavy goods. Thus in 1887, a basic hand pallet rack was invented to manually lift pallets a few inches from the ground. However, this pallet could not move goods from one location to another.

Though a new model was fabricated in 1909 to move goods, pallet trucks we know today were designed in the 1920s. From then on, they became:

• Much more prevalent;
• Quickly popular as they increased efficiency in a workplace and factories.

These days, pallet jacks /trucks are one of the most versatile material moving equipment in the industry. These can:

• Easily move smaller and bigger goods from one location to another.
• Stack goods on top of another.

As effective methods of handling various heavy goods, these are used in:

• Manufacturing plants
• Specialty and retail stores
• Factory floors
• Warehouse facilities

Types of Pallet Trucks

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How to Operate a Manual Pallet Jack

More than a few warehouse workers and other people who need to move goods have found themselves confused with one of the simpler staples of an industrial environment: the hand or manual pallet jack. Pallet jacks are built to effectively transport the rough wooden platforms know as pallets or skids that so often contain all

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