Bin lifters are specialised bin lifting aids which are designed to lift and tip wheelie bins into skip style or dumpster bins. Depending on workplace requirements and the weights of bins to be lifted, both manual winding, hand pump, gas strut assisted and hydraulic bin lifters are available. Bin lifters can be either mobile on castors or fixed in place. Fixed versions may be used in factory situations where bins are wheeled into the fixed unit and the lifter used to empty the bin down a chute or into a skip bin whereas mobile versions may be used where rubbish is transferred to a dump site. Other bin lifters can be secured to the forks of a forklift with chains and operated from the seat of the forklift truck.
For lighter weight bins or areas where power is not available, the manual or gas assist bin lifters require some manual operation of levers or winders, with gas struts doing the harder work. For heavier bins, the hydraulic bin lifters are operated via key or push button to lift and empty. The following individual workplace requirements need to be considered prior to determining if a bin lifter is suitable for a person within the work environment:
- height and location of skip bin that bins are emptied into
- weight and size of rubbish bins
- type of terrain bins will be wheeled over
- type of rubbish in the bins and whether it contains hazardous material
- how often the bins are emptied
- distance between bins and site for emptying
- capabilities of people using the bin lifters.
Some companies also offer hire of bin lifters as an alternative option to purchase.
Bin lid lifting and closing devices which are foot pedal operated are available commercially and able to be used on a wide range of bins.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with a disability that restricts the capacity to lift and manouvre items within the workplace such as bins, bin lifters may be of assistance to minimise work lifting requirements. However the provision of lifting equipment should be part of an integrated organisational approach to occupational health and safety, and should be used to complement other manual handling hazard control methods.
For more information about lifting equipment suitable for the workplace see the links below:
References
ASK Equipment Sales (QLD) (no date specified), Bin Lifters—Static/Mobile, ASK Equipment Sales (QLD), Redland Bay, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.askequipmentsalesqld.com.au/bin_lifters.htm.
Wheelie Bin Lifters 2011, WB Wheelie Bin Tipper, National Sales Pty Ltd, Wetherill Park, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.wheeliebinlifter.com.au/wb_wheelie_bin_tipper.php.
WorkCover New South Wales 2011, Manual Handling-Hierarchy of Controls, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Documents/hierarchy_of_controls_5620.pdf.
Wrightway Products 1996–2011, Lid Lifta, Wrightway Products, South Lismore, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.wrightway.com.au/lid-lifta-foot-pedal.htm.
Wrightway Products 1996 – 2011, Bin Tipper Rentals, Wrightway Products, South Lismore, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.wrightway.com.au/bin-tipper-dumpmaster.htm.