How to handle bulky cargo safely when you are short-staffed

Some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when moving bulky cargo with a staffing problem are to avoid improvised lifting teams, use mechanical assistance when appropriate, and to communicate clearly. Always do what you can to protect workers from pinch points, and secure the cargo properly during transport.

Moving bulky cargo is never easy, but it becomes significantly more challenging when a warehouse, distribution center, delivery operation, or construction business is short-staffed. That’s when the supervisor in charge of cargo handling has to start thinking a bit more creatively to get bulky cargo from point A to point B.

It doesn’t mean that you can start doing things that endanger your staff, especially when they are carrying items that are heavy, awkward, or difficult to grip. It’s always important to keep safety in mind, especially when you are short-staffed, because that’s when accidents happen as people rush around trying to get stuff done.

How Should You Assess the Cargo Before Moving It?

Don’t jump into moving bulky cargo before you have an idea of what it is, where it is, and what’s the best way to move it to where it needs to go. Ask good questions, and you shall receive good answers.

If you jump right into moving the items without proper assessment, you might end up in a situation where you are only able to move the item halfway before it gets stuck. You don’t want to be in a situation like the sitcom Friends, where Ross ends up yelling “Pivot” over and over again to no avail.

Consider the item’s approximate:

Weight

Dimensions

Shape

Stability

Center of gravity

Determine whether it can be safely handled by the available workers or whether mechanical equipment is necessary.

Avoid Improvised Lifting Teams

This is a common mistake that organizations make when trying to move bulky cargo when understaffed. When staffing is limited, the temptation arises to ask whoever is around to help them move the items. It’s meant to be a temporary thing, and it should be okay, right?

Well, that’s where you are wrong. A lifting team should consist of people who understand the task and can communicate effectively . Everyone involved should:

Know the planned route

Where the item will be placed

When lifting, moving, and lowering will occur

A person who comes into it “just to help” will not have an awareness of these crucial issues, and might end up hurting the operation or even themselves, because they are an amateur brought into a professional setting.

Use Mechanical Assistance When Appropriate

It’s important to use equipment to reduce the burdens of moving bulky cargo whenever possible. There is no harm in that, and it shouldn’t be taken as a hit to anyone’s pride to use mechanical assistance whenever possible.

Depending on the workplace and the type of material, appropriate equipment may include:

Forklifts

Pallet jacks

Carts

Dollies

Hoists

Lifting tables

Cranes

Other material-handling devices

Ensure that the workers who are involved in using this equipment are trained in it and aren’t just using it for the first time. Mechanical assistance is meant to make the task of moving bulky cargo safer and easier for everyone involved, not the other way around.

Purchase high-quality equipment and ensure that you inspect it before using it. Check out this premier used Moffett truck mounted forklifts dealer when you are ready to purchase moving equipment.

Plan the Travel Route

Even if you are moving the warehouse gear from one end of a room to another, be it a short distance or a long one, it’s important to plan out your travel route. It will ensure that you are able to predict any bottlenecks or related obstructions before you get on the move.

It’s easier to maintain heavy lifting safety measures when you are sure of the route you are going to take, how you are going to go about it, and you aren’t hit with any untoward surprises on the way.

Communicate Clearly

Most people assume that they know how to communicate , but they really understand how bad or good they are at communicating when they start moving bulky cargo with a small staff.

Everyone on the team should be communicating clearly about what’s going on with the cargo, where it is, and how far the end point is. It’s better to overcommunicate in such situations, rather than undercommunicate.

One person should generally coordinate the movement when several workers are involved, so instructions do not conflict. Too many cooks do indeed spoil the broth.

Workers should never move in opposite directions without communicating first. Sudden movements can cause a bulky load to shift unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Protect Workers From Pinch Points?

Bulky cargo is known for its pinch points and crush hazards. That’s why it can be such a hazard to move such items when you are understaffed. Operational efficiency demands that you protect workers from these pinch points before beginning to move the items.

Use handles, tools, straps, or mechanical equipment when appropriate instead of placing hands underneath a heavy object.

How Can You Secure Bulky Cargo Properly During Transport?

A load that’s stable when it’s stationary might become unstable when it’s moving , so it’s important to secure it properly before deciding to move it.

Make sure the load is properly balanced and cannot shift during movement.

For vehicle transportation, cargo should be secured according to applicable requirements and the characteristics of the load. For example, if a truck is used to transport the items, make sure the weight restrictions are kept in mind.

Moving Bulky Cargo Needs Even More Vigilance When Understaffed

With the tips above in mind, you are now ready to move all of your precious bulky cargo from your warehouse or distribution center to where it needs to go without harming your precious staff. Don’t rush through the process. Slow and steady does indeed win the logistics solutions race.

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