Tip Sheet: These Trucks Carry Big Risks

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  A hand truck does things a semi-truck can't do. And while it's much smaller than a rig, the injury risks are still big. It is a basic piece of equipment, but using it wrongly can complicate your safety. Hand trucks require you to hold, steer, push, pull, load, and unload. If done improperly, these tasks can lead to crushing, abrasions, falls, strains, sprains, getting struck, and tip overs. Using a hand truck at a work site that is not familiar to you can also increase risk. Awareness of your surroundings, securing the load, and going easy with your hand truck will help prevent injury. TIPS TO LIVE BY: Before using, make sure grab handles, grips, and wheels are securely mounted, clean, and serviceable. Inspect load for damage before loading. If possible, secure, band, or shrink wrap load before moving it. Pre-configure load and center it evenly on the hand truck's nose plate. Use both hands to steer load into place. Make sure you can see over the load. Whenever possible, travel with load leading. Stay away from loading dock ledges, and make sure dock boards and bridge plates are securely fastened. Stay away from and report uneven or deteriorated walking surfaces. Wear a high-visibility vest and look twice for passing vehicles or other moving equipment. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Education Environmental Exposure Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development Workplace

  More +
• Keywords:
  Equipment Operation Equipment Operators Exposure Levels Hand Tools Hazards Injuries Injury Prevention Manual Materials Handling Materials Handling Equipment Materials Transport Muscles Musculoskeletal System Overloading Personal Protection Personal Protective Equipment PPE Risk Factors Safety Education Safety Measures Safety Practices Training Trucking Visual Fields Walking Surfaces Work Environment Workers

  More +
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058443
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 90-131-2020, 2020 Jan; :1
• Contact Point Address:
  SHARP Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, PO Box 44330, Olympia, WA 98504-4330
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Tip sheet: these trucks carry big risks
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:44e8829172f8968f67445a9439ba52c7cf04304c34c810dd79ed4b7a3377a7d1dedfb8f61cf75c134b30515ccfa1ba2e989a5c7de45d05204337d459e3502ebf
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221535/cdc_221535_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 635.48 KB ]