How to work safely and efficiently when moving loads during the COVID-19 pandemic

During these strange and uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic we’re all learning how to operate differently and adjust to the new ‘norm’.

The government guidelines specify, for those employees who are unable to work from home, employers must make workplaces COVID-19 secure to protect employees and help to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

To make the workplace COVID-19 secure The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises companies to:

• Complete a risk assessment – you can find a handy guide here
• Implement social distancing
• Increase cleaning, hygiene and hand-washing throughout the workplace

As a result, when moving heavy loads in the workplace, businesses may need to consider:

Operating with less employees during the pandemic

By introducing material handling equipment in workplace operations and increasing efficiency, this will help reduce overall manpower required, ensuring that businesses stay within the maximum occupancy rate to be accommodated on-site at any one-time.

The Nu-Star MUV Electric Wheelbarrow increases operational efficiency and significantly reduces project lead times, read our case study to find out more.

Reducing transmission with single operator material handling equipment

According to HSE guidelines, the recommended maximum load a single operator can lift is 25kg for a male operator and 16kg for a female operator respectively. Moving loads exceeding this would require multiple operators, resulting in cross contamination on surfaces and increased risk of transmission.

All of the Nu-Star machines are battery-powered single operator pedestrian pushers. The Super Power Pusher electric tug can effortlessly move loads up to 60 tonnes!

Electric tugs to help enable social distancing in the workplace

By investing in a Nu-Star electric tug you can reduce transmission from surface contact and decrease the number of employees within close proximity where the 2m social distancing rule is not a viable option.

The Nu-Star MUV 4WD model offers a complete remote-working solution to manoeuvre heavy loads at a safe distance using a radio controller, therefore, reducing human interaction.

Operational efficiency with fewer staff during COVID-19

In particular our material handling equipment can help facilitate working safely during COVID-19 in the following sectors; Manufacturing and Construction. The guidelines advocate re-thinking working practices to ensure tasks are carried out safely by re-designing processes and introducing new equipment such as an electric pusher to make workplaces COVID-19 secure.

The Nu-Star range of electric tugs are designed to reduce manual handling and increase safety in the workplace, this is a philosophy that we have long since adopted but, has become even more prevalent during the coronavirus outbreak.

Get in touch to see how Nu-Star can help keep business moving safely and efficiently in a COVID-19 secure way.