Let’s face it, some objects and materials used in the workplace are too heavy – or awkwardly shaped – for any single worker to lift by him or herself. If handling and/or manipulating the object is a routine part of the business’s workday, however, it must be moved in one way or another. Thankfully, there are solutions available to achieve this goal, which we’re going to discuss further in this post.

Pallet Jack

The first option is a pallet jack, which lives up to its namesake by lifting pallets off the floor. Featuring two forked prongs, an extended handle, and rolling balls on the bottom, it’s placed inside the hollowed areas on a pallet, at which point the worker can pump the handle to lift it. Pallet jacks are inexpensive, easy to use, and don’t require any special training to operate. This makes them an attractive choice in a wide variety of industries.

Forklift

Of course, another solution is to use a forklift, most of which use either an electrical or gas-powered mechanism to lift pallets and other objects off the floor. Forklifts have become an integral component in many businesses and industries, with companies using them for a wide variety of applications. At a 24-inch load center, a standard forklift can carry approximately 4,000 pounds. If the load is placed at a 36-inch center, however, it can carry just 2,666. Regardless, this is still well beyond the total amount of weight a typical worker can carry.

Mobile Lifter

But the problem with both pallet jacks and forklifts is that they are restricted to lifting pallets and pallet-shaped objects. If you need to lift, move and/or manipulate a different type of object, you are essentially out of luck, which is where a mobile lifter comes into play. A mobile lifter, such as the ones offered here at EngineeredErgonomics.com, feature a combination of power, mobility and versatility. Unlike forklifts and pallet jackets, you can use these mobile lifters for practically any object.

So, which solution is the right choice for your workplace? Mobile lifters are the clear winner in this category, as they take the physical burden of lifting and moving all types of heavy objects off the workers’ shoulders. You can still incorporate forklifts and pallet jacks into your workplace, but mobile lifters will be able to move a wide variety of heavy payloads safety and efficiently.