Do you know that one-third of injuries that happen in facilities using roll containers happen because of improper handling or usage of supermarket roll cages?
The dangers and accidents associated with the use of roll cage trolleys are many— ranging from minor cuts caused by hands or fingers getting stuck between cages to more dangerous situations such as cages toppling over due to poor stacking skills.
So, how can businesses and facilities decrease the risks to their workforce that uses roll trolleys for everyday tasks?
Here are a few tips to use the roll container safely and efficiently in warehouses and facilities—
Constant Loading/Unloading
The repetitiveness of loading and unloading goods from the rack is the most common injury involved with roll cage usage. Personnel may be required to undertake stock management tasks over long periods due to time restrictions in a major organization, which may include a constant workflow of products from containers or storage shelves through roll cages onto a warehouse floor or distribution facility.
Personnel must be instructed how to manoeuvre heavy objects safely, such as nesting and bending at the knees, to prevent back and shoulder issues. Organizations must also ensure that the employees have enough rest, even if it means compromising profitability, so that they may relax and rest their bodies, which has been shown to lower the risk of pain and stiffness.
Safe and Practical Movement
It is critical that employees are properly trained on how to operate roll cages throughout the facility. Though roll cages can be pushed to their destination, this generates significant amounts of impact stress on the worker, which can lead to injuries and fatalities.
Roll cages must only be moved around the worksite at a normal speed to avoid generating too much momentum, which could make it hard to stop quickly in an emergency.
Personnel also should ensure safety by moving just one cage at a time — lines of cages can be made to save time, especially when moving big quantities of relatively light cargos. However, such procedures are not recommended since the operator will have control over the cage that’s in direct contact, making it extremely difficult to control the line’s other cages in the case of an emergency.
Moving on Slopes and Bumpy Surfaces
Pushing roll cages back and forwards slopes or across the uneven ground is a potentially dangerous task. In such cases, workers should be encouraged for using utmost caution. It may be preferable to transfer heavy things step by step and carry them down slopes instead of attempting to estimate the mobility of a roll cage full of items as it moves down a little slant.
When moving roll cages over such surfaces, it is recommended that 2-3 workers should assist in moving the cage to avoid it tumbling over or going out of control.
Wheels – The Point of Contact
To avoid accidents, wheels, or the casters that roll cages need to move smoothly throughout the floor of warehouses, workplaces, and shops, which must be monitored closely. Since these parts are in regular use, they can easily be broken or the joints can get worn out, leading a single wheel on a cage to stay, impairing the overall movement of the vehicle.
If a storage roll cage trolley doesn’t move in a proper manner, it can lead to severe safety problems. That’s why it is important for businesses to carry out regular maintenance. All the wheels attached to the cages must be inspected for damages and any wheels with issues should be replaced immediately.
The Right Roll Cages for the Job
From heavy-duty steel built to light-weight roll containers with flexible sides, there are a large variety of storage cages available in the market.
The best way to make sure that the roll cage usage is safe in your warehouse or facility centre is to choose the right supermarket roll cages that meet your specific requirements.