Stair climbing hand trucks are used for moving loads up and down stairs, on and off loading docks or vehicle tailgates and across flat surfaces while keeping the load balanced. Stair climbing forklifts can do the same job, however have fork attachments that can lift a wider range of loads, lifting to a higher height such as to load equipment on or off the backs of trucks or docks. In situations where no lift or elevators are available to bypass stairs, stair climbing hand trucks enable lifting of heavy or awkward equipment to be done safely.
Stair climbing hand trucks and forklifts come in a range of models and essentially eliminate the need for manual lifting of heavy or awkward products by using push button or electric/hand winching control lifting power to lift the loads. They also allow for delivery tasks to be done using one worker instead of two. The types of equipment or product that can be shifted with these trucks includes; boxes, sacks, office furniture, appliances such as fridges, photocopiers and televisions, vending machines and compressed air cylinders as some examples.
Stair climbing hand trucks and forklifts come in a range of models with optional accessories such as; varied base plates, range of wheels for varying terrains, range of strapping for load control, push button or winch operated and cylinder or drum holding attachments.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with disability restricting lifting capacity or simply for those wanting to minimise the risk of injury from handling multiple loads in situations where ideal lifting conditions are not always available, stair climbing hand trucks and forklifts could be a solution. Due to the large range of models and accessories available it is essential to first identify lifting requirements such as load type and size, vehicle to be used for transport, terrain to be covered and stair types to be accessed prior to considering suitability for the workplace.
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 other lifting aids that may be suitable in the workplace, see the links below:
References
Escalera, Inc. 2010, Escalera Stair Climbing Handtrucks and Stair Climbing Forklifts, Escalera, Inc., Yuba City, viewed 17 August 2011, http://www.escalerausa.com/moving/index.htm.
Ferret 2006, Hercules stair climbing hand truck available from Ballarat Materials Handling Equipment, Reed Business Information, Ballarat, viewed 17 August 2011, http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Ballarat-Materials-Handling-Equipment/Hercules-stair-climbing-hand-truck-available-from-Ballarat-Materials-Handling-Equipment-n667307.
Safety and Mobility 2011, Powered Stairclimber/Wheelchair Stairclimbers, Safety and Mobility, St Ives, viewed 17 August 2011, http://www.safetyandmobility.com.au/ProductList.php?CategoryID=46.
Safe Work Australia 2009, National Code of Practice for Manual Handling, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, viewed 17 August 2011, http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/D7B58BF8-1C27-430B-922E-427CE310EB53/0/manualhandling_cop2005_1990.pdf.
WorkCover New South Wales 2010, Manual Handling—Hierarchy of Controls, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 17 August 2011, http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Documents/hierarchy_of_controls_5620.pdf.