At first glance, a large roll of plastic film, paper, aluminum, plastic or other material may appear easy enough to handle, but if you’ve ever attempted to lift or move a commercial-grade roll such as this before, you probably know just difficult it can be. Moving it just a couple feet can be a back-breaking task. And if you need to move if farther, chances are you’ll need an extra pair of hands. The good news is that you can move large rolls safely and efficiently with manipulation machines.

Problems of Manually Handling Large Rolls

For starters, the only viable method to manually move such rolls is the “bear hug” in which you wrap your hands around the roll and attempt to carry it. This causes severe stress on the worker’s back, however, promoting the formation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing companies billions of dollars in lost productivity. Workers may not experience any immediate back pain from lifting a large roll, but over time the constant stress placed on the spine and lower back will eventually lead to pain and other related problems.

Another problem associated with manually lifting and handling large rolls is the weight. Even if it looks light enough to carry, you might be surprised to learn just how heavy a roll of film can be. It’s not uncommon for commercial-grade rolls to weigh several hundred pounds. The heavy weight combined with its awkward shape can make moving it a virtually impossible task for a single worker.

How Mobile Roll Lifting Equipment Can Help

Workers shouldn’t be forced to lift and move large commercial-grade rolls. Instead, the employer should look into a customized roll lifting solution, such as those offered here at EngineeredErgonomics.com. A mobile roll lifter, for instance, is designed to lift, manipulate and transport rolls of all sizes, weight and material. The worker uses a control panel to guide the machine’s arm into the hollowed out center of the roll, at which point it clamps shut to secure it in place. The roll can then be lifted and manipulated into the desired location.

Mobile roll lifting equipment lives up to its namesake by being mobile, meaning it travels with the worker. If several stations in your workplace need to move large rolls, the equipment can be transported