a guide to safety in the wood products ... - WorkSafe Victoria

MANUAL HANDLINGTRANSPORT OF MATERIALS ON THE SHOP FLOORRaw materials are moved within the workplace from the raw materialstorage area, through each production process, to the distribution of thefinished product.Does the work involve any of the following?HIGH RISKTICKPushing or pulling objects that are hard to move or stop, e.g. moving timber frames, glass or other productsaround the shop floorExerting high force while in an awkward posture, e.g. unloading long or heavy raw materialsRepetitive bending of the back more than 20 degrees, e.g. reaching and lifting product from packs or palletsINTERIM WORK PRACTICE (MEDIUM RISK)• Use A-frame trolleys to transport large and heavy rawmaterials and manufactured product throughout theproduction processPREFERRED SOLUTION (LOW RISK)• Use mechanical aids like overhead cranes andvacuum lifters to reduce the need for materials tobe moved manually.A-frame trolley used to transport glassVacuum lifter used to transfer rawtimber to machine table20 WORKSAFE VICTORIA / A GUIDE TO SAFETY IN THE WOOD PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY