According to a Labour Force Survey, around 176,000 workers sustained a back injury at work in 2019-20. That accounts for 37% of work-related injuries and a lot of sick days. Therefore, if you want to avoid being a back pain statistic, you need to look a what might make your job easier and safer. If you’re a delivery driver or warehouse worker, a folding sack truck might be just what you need. Here’s how folding sack trucks will save you back pain.

The main causes of back pain at work

In its guidance on Back Pain, the Health and Safety Executive outlines the main causes of back pain at work;

  • Lifting heavy or bulky loads,
  • Carrying loads awkwardly, especially if you carry them one-handed,
  • Pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads,
  • Manual handling in awkward places, like during delivery work,
  • Repetitive tasks, such as packing products,
  • Bending, crouching or stooping,
  • Stretching, twisting and reaching,
  • Working beyond your capability or when physically overtired,

If you think ‘uh oh, I do all those!’, do not worry too much. The good news is that folding sack trucks can save you back pain by removing the need to do any of these things!

Folding sack trucks: making light work of heavy loads

One of the main ways that folding sack trucks save you from back pain is that they make it far easier to move heavy loads. They also have some features that make manual handling at work far safer;

  • They are lightweight yet have a generous load capacity. This makes manoeuvring them a breeze,
  • Some folding sack trucks have pneumatic wheels which means they’ll glide smoothly over all surfaces. No need for dragging or awkward movements that will aggravate the back,
  • They have ergonomic handles for comfort and ease of use,
  • Many models have folding toe plates to keep goods stable when you’re on the move,
  • The fact that folding sack trucks fold up means they are perfect for delivery drivers who need a compact manual handling aid,

Folding sack trucks: safety first

Folding sack trucks are a great addition to any business that moves heavy goods every day. However, if they are going to save you from back pain, they need to be safe to use. That’s why it’s important to keep them well-maintained and do some pre-use checks;

  • Is the truck in good condition?
  • Are the wheels working and are they suitable for the kind of surface you’ll be moving goods over?
  • If the truck has pneumatic wheels, are they inflated enough? Flatter tyres mean you’ll need to use more force to move the truck,
  • Is the load capacity adequate for the job you need to do?
  • When you’ve loaded your items on the truck, are they stable?

After these safety checks, you should be all good to go.

Happy safer manual handling! For more advice and articles on all things trucks and trolleys, check out the rest of our blog.