Taking a closer look at MHE design
 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 take a closer look at the MHE itself.
Considerations
Ensuring your MHE is an effective control depends on how well the design matches how it’s used. Factors such as wheel and caster design, handle height, equipment weight, load capacity, shelf height, manoeuvrability, and floor conditions all influence the forces required and the postures adopted by the people using it. Some factors to consider include:
- Wheel size and material: Larger, low-friction wheels generally roll more easily over different surfaces.
- Wheel and caster configuration: Affects manoeuvrability, steering control, and effort required to move loads.
- Handle shape and height: Supports comfortable pushing and pulling while minimizing awkward postures.
- Load capacity: Should be appropriate for the weight and type of materials being transported.
- Load height and shelf configuration: Reduces bending, reaching, and lifting during loading and unloading.
- Cart dimensions: Must fit through doorways, corridors, elevators, and work areas with adequate space to navigate.
Read the rest of the series
For a deeper dive, check out the rest of the articles in this series:
To learn more
Visit worksafebc.com/ergonomics for more or check out these other resources:
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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