Mobile lift systemsPrint

Mobile lift systems for ergonomic workplace design in the commercial sector

By law, employers have to take suitable organisational measures or provide suitable equipment to avoid manual handling of loads that put employees at a safety and health risk, particularly in the lumbar spine. (Section 2 para 1 of the Load Handling Ordinance, German Civil Code, page 1841) Mobile aids are used to this end.

Mobile lift systems are used to lift, tilt, shake, turn, lower, grip, guide and swivel loads, thus making an important contribution to reducing physical strains and stresses in the workplace.

Advantages for employee and employer

For the employee, this means back-friendly load handling, more satisfaction at work and better quality of life. Advantages for the employer include reduced costs through less sick leave for musculoskeletal illnesses, considerable increase in profit through motivated staff and top quality work performance. The use of mobile lift systems is therefore recommended in many branches of industry, trade and the services where there is a need to move goods weighing between 5 and 200 kg, on account of the high acceptance, efficiency and profitability of the systems.

Depending on the specific workplace conditions, lift systems must be offered with a range of different lifting heights and load ratings. Additional adapter systems must be adapted to the prevailing situation of the workplace and the surrounding environment.

Checklist

• The lift system must be available in a low-built design (height of less than 10 cm for the running gear) to move it under a EURO pallet.
• It must be possible to adjust mobile lift systems and their adapters flexibly to the characteristics of the workplace and its work surroundings. They must make it possible to move, grip, lift, tilt, shake, turn, lower and swivel workpieces and containers, and must be easy to use.
• Depending on the specific workplace conditions, lift systems must be offered with a range of different lifting heights and load ratings.
• Mobility is very important. Easy manoeuvring in a confined space must be possible. Low-weight design is a great advantage here, together with various different rollers for the units.
• For safety reasons, the rear wheels must be fitted with wheel locking devices or central brakes. Safety sensors must also trigger an immediate stop to protect the feet.
• Time-saving, easy operation of the units must be possible without any problems. Adjustable lifting and lowering speeds are necessary for the whole range of the unit in accordance with the work requirements.

Minimum requirements

• Low structural height
• Flexibility
• Safe mobility
• Easy to handle

Also appropriate

• Fully adjustable running gear width
• Removable remote control
• Maintenance-free batteries with integrated battery charger
• Integrated two-step ladder

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval

• lift2move*
• TransOrt MobiLiftSystem**

Manufacturer

Expresso Deutschland GmbH*
Antonius-Raab-Str. 19
34123 Kassel
GERMANY
Phone +49561/95910
Fax +49561/95912138
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.expresso-group.com

TransOrt GmbH**
Fichtenweg 2
57392 Schmallenberg
GERMANY
Phone +49 2974/9695811
Fax+49 2974/9695829
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.transort.de

Further information

Qualified analysis of the workplace is necessary in advance in order to decide which equipment is needed.

Additional processes may be appropriate, with individuals obtaining qualified advice from workplace specialists such as occupational physicians, physiotherapists or also attending a back school in order to learn and improve back-friendly behaviour (e.g. how to lift and carry things correctly).

As a basic rule: the best chances of success come from combining various back-friendly aids, such as the lifting tables described above, with behavioural training and possibly also muscular training. This reduces the problems of the individual worker together with the sick leave levels. The employees will be more motivated. This should also be in the interests of every employer. Aids such as lifting tables and mobile lift systems reduce the strain during installation work and/or when handling heavy parts, pallets, crates or other transport equipment in the workplace. This applies particularly to installation workplaces where strains come not only from the weight of the parts but also from the continuous movement patterns. Mobile lift systems lift, tilt, shake, turn, lower, grip, move and swivel loads, thus fostering ergonomic work processes.