21 Jun Commercial Mover Safety

Commercial Mover Safety

Commercial and residential movers face a variety of hazards while packing, lifting, carrying, loading, transporting, and unloading furniture, equipment, and other materials. Common hazards include strains and sprains, struck-by and caught-between injuries, slips and falls, cuts, falling objects, and vehicle-loading hazards.

Proper planning, good housekeeping, safe material-handling techniques, and teamwork can significantly reduce these risks.

Plan the Move Before Work Begins

Whenever possible, evaluate both the pickup and delivery locations before the move. A pre-move assessment can identify hazards and determine what equipment, personnel, and special precautions will be needed.

Look for:

• Stairs, ramps, steep slopes, and uneven walking surfaces;
• Narrow hallways, doorways, and sharp turns;
• Low ceilings and overhead obstructions;
• Elevators and loading docks;
• Limited parking or vehicle access;
• Unusually large, heavy, or awkward furniture and equipment;
• Chemicals or other hazardous materials;
• Fragile or sharp objects;
• Poor lighting;
• Weather-related hazards; and
• Pets, animals, or other site-specific hazards.

If an advance visit is not practical, obtain this information from the customer or site representative before arriving.

Before beginning work, discuss unusual hazards and the moving plan with the crew.

Personal Protective Equipment

Wear PPE appropriate for the hazards of the move.

• Wear sturdy work footwear with slip-resistant soles. Safety-toe footwear should be used where there is a risk of crushing or falling-object injuries.
• Wear work gloves appropriate for handling furniture, boxes, and other materials.
• Wear long pants and other protective clothing where needed to prevent cuts and abrasions.
• Use eye protection when work creates a risk of flying particles, broken glass, dust, or similar hazards.
• Wear high-visibility clothing when working around traffic, loading areas, or moving vehicles when appropriate.

PPE should supplement—not replace—safe lifting practices and mechanical assistance.

Use the Right Moving Equipment

Moving equipment can reduce manual handling and help prevent injuries.

Depending on the job, provide:

• Hand trucks;
• Furniture dollies;
• Appliance dollies;
• Carts;
• Furniture sliders;
• Lifting or moving straps;
• Ramps; and
• Appropriate load-securement equipment.

Inspect moving equipment before use. Do not use dollies, hand trucks, straps, ramps, or other equipment that is damaged or has insufficient capacity for the load.

Never exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity.

Pack Boxes Safely

Proper packing makes materials easier and safer to handle.

• Place heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter materials in larger boxes.
• Place heavier contents at the bottom of each box.
• Do not overload boxes.
• Securely close and seal boxes before moving them.
• Reinforce boxes when necessary.
• Clearly identify unusually heavy, fragile, or hazardous contents.
• Keep individual boxes within a weight and size that can be safely handled.

Do not assume a box is lightweight based on its size. Test the load before committing to the lift.

Lift and Carry Safely

Before lifting, evaluate the object’s weight, size, shape, stability, and intended travel path.

When manually handling a load:

• Get as close to the object as practical.
• Establish secure footing.
• Maintain the natural alignment of the back.
• Grip the load securely.
• Keep the load close to the body.
• Lift smoothly without jerking.
• Avoid twisting while carrying; turn by moving your feet.
• Avoid excessive reaching or lifting above shoulder height.
• Make sure you can see where you are walking.

Use a mechanical aid or team lift when an object is too heavy, bulky, long, or awkward for one person to safely control.

Team lifts should be coordinated. Designate one person to communicate movements such as lift, turn, stop, and lower so everyone moves together.

Stairs and Difficult Areas

Moving heavy or bulky objects on stairs requires additional planning.

• Inspect stairs before beginning the move.
• Keep stairs and landings free of packing materials and other obstructions.
• Maintain communication between employees handling the load.
• Do not carry loads that prevent employees from safely seeing the stairs or travel path.
• Use appropriate moving equipment designed for stair movement when available.
• Never attempt to catch a heavy object that begins falling or sliding if doing so would place you in the object’s path.

Keep hands and feet away from pinch points when moving furniture through doorways or around corners.

Loading and Unloading Vehicles

Use extra caution around moving trucks, trailers, ramps, and liftgates.

• Park on a stable, level surface whenever possible.
• Set the parking brake before loading or unloading.
• Secure the vehicle against unintended movement as required.
• Inspect ramps and liftgates before use.
• Stay within the rated capacity of ramps and liftgates.
• Keep employees clear of liftgate pinch and crush points.
• Distribute cargo to maintain vehicle stability.
• Secure furniture, equipment, and other cargo to prevent shifting during transportation.
• Do not stand beneath or downhill from loads that could fall or roll.

Employees operating powered liftgates or other equipment must be trained in its safe use.

Maintain Good Housekeeping

Packing and moving activities can quickly create slip and trip hazards.

• Keep aisles, stairs, hallways, and exits clear.
• Do not leave cardboard, plastic wrap, packing paper, straps, or bubble wrap on walking surfaces.
• Remove packing debris throughout the job rather than waiting until the move is complete.
• Clean up spills promptly.
• Maintain adequate lighting along travel paths.
• Stack boxes securely and prevent unstable piles.

Broken glass and other sharp materials should never be picked up with bare hands. Use appropriate tools and place sharp debris in a rigid, puncture-resistant container.

Watch for Unusual Hazards

Movers may encounter conditions that were not anticipated during planning, including chemicals, excessive dust, biological contamination, damaged structures, aggressive animals, or unsafe access routes.

Do not simply work around an uncontrolled hazard. Stop the affected task and notify the supervisor or site representative so the condition can be evaluated and corrected before work continues.

Remember

Successful moving requires more than strength. Plan the move, inspect the travel path, use mechanical assistance, keep loads manageable, communicate during team lifts, secure cargo, and maintain good housekeeping throughout the job.