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Safety and Health Practitioner (SHP) is first for independent health and safety news.
March 7, 2013

Ergonomic lifting and handling – Composite trench covers

Fibrelite has launched a range of heavy-duty D400 load-rated composite trench covers, described as providing a lightweight alternative to heavy concrete and metal trench panels – which normally need to be removed by a forklift to gain access to important underground services.

The 1.6m-long trench covers are said to be maintenance-free and suitable for covering large pits, gullies and trenches where occasional, or frequent access may be required.

The original request for these trench covers came from a large power station in the north of England. The power station’s engineers were exploring replacement options for extremely heavy and easily-damaged concrete covers, which could only be removed via a forklift and lifting equipment. Fibrelite says the decision to choose its solution was made simple because its takes around ten seconds for two technicians to remove its trench covers.

Described as ergonomically safe, the design features two lifting points, which allow the operator to remove the cover without trapping fingers, or bending over – thus enhancing the safety of the lifting technique.

The trench covers can be used for a multitude of applications – from shopping-centre walkways and industrial facilities, to HGV loading areas in water-treatment plants and power stations.

More details are available at www.fibrelite.com

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

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