Did you know that according to Google, up to 90% of the world’s cargo uses shipping containers to move around the planet? These stackable sea containers make handling and trade far more efficient than if individual containers were used. Most products that we buy or use spend at least some part of their lifespan in a shipping container.
Although shipping containers are essential to the logistics and shipping industries, there are certain risks involved when it comes to loading and unloading them. Hundreds of port employees across the world will suffer from some type of injury through improper handling during the loading of them every year.
In this post, let’s look at what you need to know when handling goods in shipping containers.
Any task that requires lifting, moving, or supporting a load by hand is considered manual handling. Safety regulations have been put into place in many countries to protect workers when they need to perform manual handling. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that these regulations are adhered to in order to avoid or at least reduce the risk of injury.
Manual handling tasks involved with loading and unloading shipping containers include:
Moving items to the shipping container from a warehouse or other storage area
- Stacking goods inside of the container
- Removing boxes and other items from the shipping container to a warehouse or other storage area
The Use of Mechanical Aids Can Reduce Manual Handling Risks
Mechanical aids such as cranes, conveyor belts and other handling equipment can reduce the manual handling exposure to risk for workers. This can enable a faster turnaround when it comes to the loading and unloading of shipping containers resulting in lower overall costs.
By using mechanical aids to help load containers, employers can enjoy cost and health benefits. Something to consider when you next need to load your shipping containers.
