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Alternatives to Manual Handling of Individual Containers
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 Instead of
lifting and pouring from the drum, insert a siphon or a pump.
Caution: To prevent cross-contamination, chemical incompatibility and
flammability hazards do not interchange pumps or siphons among different containers.
Increase the size of the container or the weight of the load so that it is to large to handle manually. 
 Use a hook for light-weight containers to reduce your reach.
Use a drum dolly.
| The drum must be set down |
This drum dolly lifts |
| into this dolly. |
and transports drums. |
Use a cart or platform truck.
| A hand cart can have multiple |
This six-wheel platform truck |
| shelves for moving a variety of |
is easy to maneuver and will turn |
| containers at one time. |
in its own length. |
| This three wheel cart transports |
Two-wheel carts work well for |
| but does not lift drums. |
loads up to about 300 pounds. |
Use a portable scissors lift.
This scissors lift has a foot pump to raise or lower the
platform so the containers can be slid on or off.
Use a hand truck.
| This specialty hand truck with brakes |
Another type of hand truck |
| will allow more control when heavy |
converts to four wheels for |
| loads are on inclines. |
moving unstable loads. |
| Two-wheeled hand trucks work |
Some hand trucks are |
This hand truck has |
| well for transporting bottles or |
specially designed for |
an additional handle |
| cylinders over short distances. |
transporting cylinders. |
to provide better |
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directional control. |
This hand truck fitted with retractable rear wheels converts to a flatbed cart.
Use a conveyor, slide, or chute.
| Design a conveyor system that |
Use slides or chutes to do the work |
Use spiral conveyors |
| delivers the container directly |
if containers are always moving in |
or chutes where space |
| into position for loading. |
one direction. |
is limited. |
| Small containers and |
Gravity activated conveyors |
A curved skate-wheel |
| lightweight loads can |
work well for short |
conveyor moves containers |
| be handled by gravity |
downhill runs. |
around corners. It is |
| conveyors. |
|
activated by gravity. |
| Skate-wheel conveyors can |
Floor-mounted roller |
An expandable skate-wheel |
| be easily setup where ever |
conveyors can handle heavier |
conveyor is portable and |
| needed and work well for |
pallet loads. |
excellent where work needs to |
| light loads. |
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have a flexible layout. |
Non-powered hand pallet trucks are useful for moving loads over short distances when low forces are
required. For moving heavy loads requiring high forces over long distances it is advantageous to use
powered pallet trucks.
Use a hand pallet truck.
| When using hand pallet trucks, be sure |
For unstable pallet loads, wrap |
| the floor is smooth and free of debris. |
straps around the load. |
Use a portable hoist or crane.
| A portable hoist and "cherry |
Portable gantry cranes are |
| picker" is manually operated. |
adjustable in height. They can be |
| It is convenient for occasional |
fitted with manual, electric, or |
| spot-lifting of heavy loads. |
pneumatic hoists for moving heavy |
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loads over short distances. |
Use a stacker.
| This stacker is well suited for |
This stacker is fitted with a special |
| moving loads up to 3,000 pounds |
drum-handling attachment. |
| for short distances. |
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Stackers can be fitted with specially shaped forks to handle round or
cylindrical containers.
Use a powered hand truck.
This is a powered two-wheel hand truck
designed for climbing stairs.
Use an airball table.
An airball table makes it easier to slide
containers, thereby reducing workers’ efforts.
Use a forklift.
| A forklift moves |
Special attachments are available |
| pallets long distances. |
for removing cartons layer by layer. |
Use a crane.
| A portable gantry |
A workstation crane |
A jib crane fitted with |
| crane fitted with an |
fitted with a balancer |
an electric hoist and a |
| electric hoist |
and a vacuum lifter |
lifting tong |
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for handling large or |
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heavy containers |
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Use a pallet truck.
Use a lifter
| A manually propelled load |
A drum lifter/rotator can |
| lifter carries containers. |
lay the drum on its side. |
| The power lift raises and |
Add a spigot to the drum to |
| lowers containers to the |
empty its contents. |
| appropriate work height. |
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Some vacuum lifters
have two handles and work best for lifts performed below mid-chest height within the power zone.
| Vacuum lifters can handle |
Vacuum lifters make |
| sacks and bags that are |
the handling of large or |
| hard to grip by hand. |
heavy containers easier. |
Use a carousel.
Vertical carousels rotate and present items on shelves or roll out drawers within the worker’s power zone.
Horizontal carousels rotate and bring items to the worker, eliminating
walking and carrying loads.
Use a tilter
| Industrial tilters can |
Some industrial tilters |
| improve access to large |
can also elevate so that |
| containers and make |
containers or materials |
| handling of materials |
being handled are within |
| easier. They can tilt up to |
the worker’s power zone. |
| 1100, but angles to 450 are |
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| most common. |
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Related Resources/ Publications:
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