Stacked Loads Can Stack the Hazards Against You

If you are pressed for time on a materials handling job, it’s awfully tempting to try to double up on your lifting loads to make short work of a big job. But doing so puts you and others at risk. Here are some hazards:

If you are carrying a load, even a light one that blocks your vision, you may as well be walking around blindfolded.

Heavy or awkward loads can compromise your balance. Anyone who has tried to lift a stack of boxes, even empty ones, has likely experienced losing the entire load when the stack starts wobbling.

If you can’t shift the load to one arm and hold on to a railing with the other, you are taking a big chance when walking down or up stairs.

Back injuries are a leading cause of lost workdays. Trying to lift too much weight can put you out of commission for days.