Ensuring MHE meets the needs of the task
 When selecting material-handling equipment (MHE), you should use a system’s approach to ensure safety, productivity, and efficiency. This involves considering the interaction between the five key elements of the workplace system: the equipment, the task, the organizational management, the environment, and the worker.
In this article, we consider how well the MHE will meet the needs of the task it needs to perform.
Considerations
Selecting equipment that is well suited to the task helps optimize functionality, improve efficiency, and reduce physical demands on workers. The benefits of your MHE will vary depending on how the design matches with the intended use for a job or task. Some factors to consider include:
- Frequency and duration: How often the task is repeated and how long it takes to complete.
- Distance: How far the materials will be moved.
- Workplace layout and environment: The obstacles or constraints in the workplace layout.
- Force: How much force is required to handle MHE.
- Postures: The postures required to use the MHE.
Poorly selected or designed equipment may increase push/pull forces and contribute to awkward postures, including bending, reaching, and twisting, which can increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI).
If using an MHE still requires significant manual exertion, additional controls, such as conveyors, or lift-assist devices, should be considered to further reduce MSI risk.
Read the rest of the series
For a deeper dive, check out the rest of the articles in this series:
Visit worksafebc.com/ergonomics to learn more.
We’re here to help
If you have questions about ergonomics or human factors, please contact us at HumanFactors@worksafebc.com.
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