Warehouses with multiple levels require a wide range of equipment and machinery to function smoothly. Reaching the mezzanine levels is vital to maximising the use of space, whether used for self-storage, industrial manufacturing or retail purposes. With warehouse workers growing in numbers significantly every year, you need to make sure that you take steps to reduce workplace injury potential. The best way to do so in this scenario? Using an industrial goods lift.
This blog expands on how industrial mezzanine lifts can be applied to reduce workplace injuries, highlighting potential risks and what this equipment can offer.
Reducing manual handling injuries
The most common warehouse injuries are generally based around overextension, Lifting heavier or more awkward items can put strain on workers’ backs, especially when trying to move goods up levels manually. Mezzanine lifts are essential to reducing workplace injuries of this nature, allowing people a simple and easy way to move heavy loads.
Along with the risks of lifting heavy or awkward items, carrying even manageable items up levels over and over again can easily lead to repetitive strain injuries. Again, industrial goods lifts automate this process and reduce the risk. Awkward postures and movements can have similar effects when they’re repeated over time – it only takes one bad pickup.
Finally, constant physical activity can also result in significant exertion and fatigue, which compound over time. Being tired at work is dangerous, as it can contribute to even more severe and dangerous accidents taking place.
Eliminating falling staff and hazardous technology use
Going up and down stairs constantly increases the risk of slips, trips and falls – with falls being the most common form of lethal workplace accidents by far. A mezzanine goods lift provides a stable, smooth way to move goods up and down, eliminating the risks of falling. The lifts themselves are usually kitted up with features like interlocked gates, ensuring that the experience using them isn’t dangerous.
Containing the goods within a lift also means that they’re less likely to fall or get dropped on anyone – the kind of accident that a hard hat won’t be much use in! Similarly, a lack of mezzanine lifts means that there’s more of a need for the use of forklifts to take items up levels. Accidents with forklifts can be severe, not only for goods but for people operating or around the forklift.
Safety features and accreditations to look out for
Mezzanine industrial goods lifts have to be made with safety in mind to truly combat warehouse workplace injury potential. The design and build of safe goods lifts include:
- CE-plating to ensure full compliance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and all relevant UK and EU standards.
- RFID electrical interlocks fitted on the gates.
- Electrical and mechanical interlocked safety locks.
- Inner lift mechanical locking lined with ply or aluminium.
- Rigged steel box section frames.
- Anti-slip flooring to keep feet steady.
- Lift shafts being surrounded with galvanised mesh.
- Solid dubar plate access ramps.
These are the kinds of safety features you should look for when you’re seeking mezzanine lifts to reduce workplace injury potential.
Find the best lifts
If you’re looking for an industrial lift, make sure to seek out a well-regarded, internationally recognised brand with a history of working with countless warehouses. Choosing the very best in the business is the first step to protecting yourself and your staff, so make sure to do your research before booking an installation.
