Even the strongest worker eventually encounters an object or load in the work place which they cannot move safely on their own.  Sometimes, these objects require a team of people working together in order to properly displace them.  Sometimes two people and a small amount of mechanical assistance will do the job.  However, there are also occasions where serious lifting equipment is necessary to keep everyone safe while transporting materials.

For a team of people, the use of portable handles, grips and loading straps can usually turn an awkward load into something more manageable.  Portable handles which slide underneath a heavy square or rectangular box can help distribute the weight of the load across as many people as can fit down the length of the object.  The same can be said for loading straps, which are a type of harness which fits around the body and the object to be lifted.  In the case of loading straps, it is necessary to take extra care when going up or down stairs, as the movement of the straps on the object itself could pull the worker on the high side down from their standing position and trap them or injure them.

Two people working together can also accomplish a fair amount of lifting which would not be safe or healthy for a single person to try on their own.  Large, flat materials such as panes of glass or sections of a wall which are light enough to carry but too bulky to easily grip can be handled using vacuum lifters¹.  The devices resemble suction cups and use the strength of a vacuum to create a strong grip on the material being moved.  Two people, one on either side of the piece being moved, can often effectively use these types of grips to move large items.

When it comes to very heavy objects which are too dangerous for employees to lift without assistance, the use of pulleys and cranes can have a great effect on productivity and on worker health.  Pulleys use their mechanical advantage to amplify the strength of those using them while lifting.  Pulleys can be mounted on portable cranes which can be wheeled around the production facility while carrying their loads.  If the crane is properly balanced, it should be much easier to move a suspended load like this than it would be to manually carry it.  This is because the weight of the load is spread out across the frame of the crane.  Cranes can also be fixed in place and have the loads rotated instead of wheeled while unloading a vehicle or forklift.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 2002.  Hoisting and Moving Heavy Objects.  Retrieved August 13, 2008 from http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/mmh/hoisting.html.