HOW TO OPERATE A HAND TRUCK

When a company has product that needs to be moved, stored or delivered, safety of the worker is of the utmost importance to the company. Deciding on when and how to purchase a hand truck, whether manual or battery powered, depends on the job at hand. Although most people think of a hand truck as a piece of equipment used by mail delivery companies, retail stores and warehouses, hand trucks are increasingly becoming the new must have for the modern American home. Because of the many different sizes available from the mini mover that folds into a compact size, to the large models, hand trucks are a great idea to add to the tools used at home.

As with all equipment, instructions on how to operate a hand truck should be read, practiced and observed before actual use.

• First, know how to properly load a hand truck, placing the largest item on the bottom, gradually moving to the smallest and not going past the top of the hand truck itself. Consider the range of vision and sight when loading any product.
• Second, always use the straps provided on the hand truck, securing it with the buckle or lock to insure that the loaded items will not fall off or over.
• Third, always pull the strap as tight as possible around the item that is to be moved. A loose strap may cause the load to shift, damaging the product or injuring the user.
• Fourth, slowly tilt the hand truck back towards the user making sure that it is not too heavy or shifts in any direction.
• Lastly, move slowly towards the area that the product needs to be, making sure that doorways, walkways, ramps, etc., are easy to access. Moving forward is the safest way to handle a hand truck while moving backwards is never recommended when moving anything whether it is a very large, heavy item or a light, fragile item, like a wall mirror.

Using a hand truck is a great idea for items that cannot be lifted easily with both arms by one person. As with all lifting tasks, always consider the width, height and weight to avoid injury to an employee’s back, neck, shoulders or arms. It is suggested that a belt that supports the back be used when moving things. If an item is too large or too bulky, for one person, then it is time to use a hand truck. Safety is the key to operating any type of equipment inside or outside, on stairs or level surfaces. Risking a worker is never worth it to the company, boss, supervisor, manager or CEO. When a hand truck is needed, it will do the job and will last for years without needing to be replaced unless it is damaged.