Many workers have a preference for either pushing or pulling heavy equipment, but the truth is manually pushing or pulling are both dangerous. The motion and exertion requirements can cause a repetitive stress injury while also risking losing control of the heavy equipment that’s in motion.
Danger of Pulling Heavy Equipment
Pulling a heavy load puts high stress on the body. Also, a moving dumpster can itself be dangerous. As one manager recently explained to MySafetyNews, the momentum might make the rolling equipment smash into the feet of the worker.
Injuries from pulling heavy equipment include:
• Back injuries from twisting and straining
• Neck and shoulder muscle strains and tears
• Hamstring and hip injuries
• Collisions and out-of-control carts endangering others
Danger of Pushing Heavy Equipment
Pushing a cart can be safer than pulling, but also has numerous injury risks:
• Wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries
• Lower back injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cart blocks view of path, endangering other people and property
Avoid Workplace Injuries with Dumpster Tugs
The best solution for pushing or pulling a heavy cart like a waste dumpster? A motorized caddy that propels itself and stops on command. Dumpster tugs use a battery-powered motor to move thousands of pounds of weight with a simple steering control.
Dumpster tugs prevent many causes of worker injury:
• Eliminate physical strain of pushing and pulling
• Control the dumpster up and down inclines and across rocky surfaces
• Safely stop without sending a shock through the arms and back
• Maneuver around turns without straining the wrists and legs
Prevent the injury risks of manual pushing and pulling with motorized dumpster tugs from DJ Products.