Dollies are a type of trolley used for moving or loading materials such as furniture or drums. Basic dollies have wheels on their base and are flat topped or have a slight lip and are either rectangular or circular in shape with no handle.
Dollies can be plastic, metal or wooden, be solid or open based and be padded with rubber or carpet for product protection depending on the types of materials handled. Wheel type can also vary depending on the types of terrain the dolly is traveling over and the environment exposed to. Castors can also be lockable and may swivel to allow travel in all directions, or tilt to allow turning. Pallet dollies are designed to easily move pallets without the aid of a forklift and can be low profile design to allow for positioning under low items.
Dollies are also available with handles that can assist with raising and pushing a load, or designed specifically for attaching to awkward loads such as pianos or fragile items during furniture removal. They have hydraulic wheels and are hand operated.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with disability that restrict lifting especially in awkward situations, dollies can be a simple type of trolley that can reduce the physical force required to push and move stock or items around the workplace. Consideration on dolly loading style is essential in reducing risk of injury, with the provision of lifting and moving equipment being part of an integrated, organisational approach to occupational health and safety, and used to complement other manual handling hazard control methods.
References
Global 2011, Dollies—Machinery & Furniture Slides, Global Equipment Company Inc., New York, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/product/categoryInfo.web?options.parentCategoryKey=138&index=18&catSearchParams.categoryKey=1705&REQ_SUB_CAT=Machinery+Dollies+%26+Furniture+Slides.
Global 2011, Dollies—Pallet & Skid, Global Equipment Company Inc., New York, viewed 1 September 2011,http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/product/categoryInfo.web?options.parentCategoryKey=138&index=18&catSearchParams.categoryKey=1707&REQ_SUB_CAT=Pallet+%26+Skid+Dollies.
Global 2011, Dollies—Wooden, Global Equipment Company Inc., New York, viewed 1 September 2011,http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/product/categoryInfo.web?options.parentCategoryKey=138&index=18&catSearchParams.categoryKey=1712&REQ_SUB_CAT=Wood+Dollies.
Technicaids 2007, The Rota-Dollie, TECHNICAIDS Pty Ltd, viewed 1 September 2011, http://www.technicaids.com.au/Products/tabid/54/CategoryID/13/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/158/Default.aspx.