When it comes to choosing the appropriate tools for any industrial project, there is no such thing as a universal solution. There are many various kinds of platforms and ramps that you may use to successfully finish tasks at hand. Work platforms can include completely loaded and empty forklifts, industrial crossover, rolling stair systems equipped with metal handrails, guardrails, or universal stair kits for industrial workplaces like building sites, factories, or storage facilities.
One of the most important things to have on hand for any construction or manufacturing floor is a variety of work platforms. This way, you can ensure that your employees are safe and not compromising the progression or completion time frame due to injuries from using an unsuitable one which could result in death in extreme cases!
OSHA Mandates on Work Platforms
OSHA 1910 Subpart D Walking-Working Surfaces indicate the general requirements for work platforms:
- There has to be a minimum of 42″ of metal railing. The toeboard at the central rail has to be 4 inches in height.
- The rails must be four feet tall. Around this height, fall protection measures are necessary. Even though lifts and scaffolds would each have their own unique needs to prevent accidental falls.
- It is recommended that a guardrail be installed if the platform has greater than four steps leading up to the work platform.
- Gates must be installed to prevent unauthorized entry through access points.
Commercial locations often lack the space to accommodate your business needs. But stepping on a platform allows workers to take advantage of vertical environments without sacrificing posture or ergonomics! The variety in design and material ensures an option for almost any working environment where reduced-depth platforms are installed when the floor is too low to accommodate natural human posture.
How Ergonomics Translate to Workplace Safety
Ergonomics studies how people interact with their environment, and posture is the body’s proper alignment. Both are important factors in worker safety. Poor ergonomics can lead to repetitive strain injuries, while poor posture can cause exhaustion and musculoskeletal pain. Workers can use a platform to maintain a proper posture while reaching high areas, which can help reduce the risk of injury and increase worker productivity.
Well-balanced body positions are essential to allow the worker an opportunity for smooth and easy movement. If there is no adjustability, work platforms come in handy in each workstation so that employees don’t have trouble reaching everything with their height restrictions in mind. Greater flexibility and a variety of body positions equalize the distribution of loads on different parts and involve more muscles, meaning there’s less strain for each muscle or joint.
When Can Workers Benefit from Industrial Work Platforms?
- Loading and unloading trucks: Work platforms can be used to load and unload trucks quickly and efficiently. By using a work platform, workers can avoid climbing in and out of the flatbed trailer, saving time and reducing the risk of injuries.
- Painting, cleaning, and repairs: Work platforms can also be used for necessary maintenance tasks. Workers can reach higher areas without compromising safety and efficiency.
- Creates an efficient workplace: Whether doing assembly line tasks or jobs that require precision, workstations should provide a variety of postures and allow employees the chance to change positions on-the-fly. The employee’s needs for height leverage should be met with multiple orientations, so they are comfortable doing what is needed.
- Simple setup with versatile uses: Work platforms are often not too complicated and fairly simple in assembly for trained personnel, making your workplace more productive and efficient. They can be easily moved from one location or even outdoors! When paired with wheels, a rolling work platform has never been easier for any business to get on board with this revolutionary idea to wheel it over to cramped areas in facilities.
- Moving heavy equipment: Work platforms can also be used for moving heavy equipment. By using a work platform, workers can avoid lifting heavy equipment manually, reducing the risk of injuries.
When it comes to worker safety, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that ergonomics plays an important role in the workplace. By integrating ergonomics into the workplace, employers can create a safer environment for their employees. By considering how workers interact with their work environment, employers can make changes that can prevent injuries and improve overall safety in the workplace.
