“Loads Better”

Penny Hydraulics has released a statement in support of its self-published booklet, which aims to offer guidance on current manual handling regulations, giving practical advice on how to reduce the need to handle loads by hand. The booklet also includes case studies explaining how Penny Hydraulics has helped customers to reduce manual handling and implement best practice through its design, manufacturing, installation and training service.

According to the latest HSE figures show that in 2004/5 around 1.9 million working days were lost through injuries caused by handling, lifting or carrying and that each incident resulted in around 9.3 days off work. Almost 11 million working days were lost to MSDs in 2006/7.

The company suggests that one way to reduce injuries is through the use of their products; after all, for manual handling problems, the simplest way to ensure safety is to eliminate the task. Richard Short, the company’s sales director states that, “This is clearly not practical in many cases so the next best option is to provide employees with an alternative method of lifting and handling. If, as another HSE statistic suggests, around 47 per cent of the workforce has a job that involves manual handling this could be one of the most important health and safety decisions a company can take. Incidentally, the HSE figures also suggest that handling related accident rates are higher at businesses with more than 25 employees so anyone under the impression that this someone else’s problem should think again.”

Short continues, “For many applications that involve handling items on and off a commercial vehicle a crane or platform lift can be a practical and affordable solution. Vehicle mounted cranes are versatile for general load handling and applications such as where the load size may vary, when the item cannot easily be moved towards the vehicle, or when the requirement is to access both sides and the rear of the vehicle. Equipped with a winch a crane is also suitable for handling items below ground level. Vehicle mounted platform lifts are also good for general load handling and are especially useful for items that can be rolled onto the platform or moved with a trolley or similar device. Models are available for mounting at the side of the vehicle as well as the rear which is why the term “tail lift” tells only half the story.”

Penny Hydraulics designs and manufactures load handling equipment which is used extensively across demanding industries to support delivery, service and engineering applications. All products are designed and manufactured in the UK, while the company remains committed “to promoting efficiency, reducing the risk of personal injury and helping operators comply with manual handling regulations.”

The company’s vehicle-mounted Swing Lift cranes can handle loads of up to 2000kg while vehicle-mounted platform lifts – including the Easyloader Tail Lift, Side Lift, Step Lift and Load Lift – can load up to 550kg. The Cellar Lift is designed for handling barrels, crates and other drink-related products between basements or first floor cellars. Vertical, sloping and compact models with capacities up to 300kg, enough for a full 54 gallon barrel, are available. The Mezz Lift is a versatile goods lift for raising and lowering loads up to 300kg between two floors in factories, workshops and warehouses. Specialist tyre and wheel service, handling and storage equipment includes the Tyre Lift for handling tyres between two floors in the depot and the Single Wheel Lift for handling tyres on service vehicles.

Penny Hydraulics also offers support including consultation, design, manufacture, installation, training and maintenance from its head office and through a nationwide network of service engineers. It is a privately owned family business based in Clowne, Derbyshire.