Equipment carts place less stress on workers' bodies than manually carrying materials.
 
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Top Industrial Cart Models Are Ergonomically Designed


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Applying ergonomics to the industrial workplace is considerably more prevalent now than it was several decades ago. Many more industrial companies are investing in equipment that is designed with reducing operator discomfort and fatigue keenly in mind. Businesses are paying much more attention to preventing repetitive stress injuries, also frequently termed “cumulative trauma disorders.” These types of injuries are no different from the sudden, accident-caused variety in that they also often lead to increases in absenteeism, health care costs and worker’s compensation claims. One type of work task that can cause repetitive stress injuries is the manual carrying of materials. What types of ergonomically designed equipment have been developed that can significantly reduce these types of injuries? Very frequently, they are industrial-use carts. Industrial carts can prevent injuries by enabling workers to place less stress on their bodies by transporting materials on wheeled equipment rather than carrying these materials manually.

There are many different types of material handling carts being used today to improve worker efficiency and help reduce repetitive stress injuries. These equipment carts can be categorized into three main varieties: industrial cart models designed to carry a variety of different materials, equipment cart models designed to transport a certain category of materials (such as sheet goods), and cart models designed to transport a specific type of item (such as truck batteries or cylinder torches). One of the most frequently utilized general-use ergonomic carts is the service cart, also often called a utility cart. Top service cart models are constructed of either steel or aluminum and have two or three shelves on which workers can place a variety of materials and transport them within a facility.

An additional often-utilized type of general-use cart is the platform cart, also known as a platform truck. Platform trucks have one extended platform built low to the floor and an ergonomically designed push handle rising from one end. This type of material handling mobile cart is designed for transporting materials that are considerably heavier and often longer than those commonly handled via service carts. Many platform truck models can efficiently handle loads of more than 2,000 pounds. One particular type of cart designed with ergonomics clearly in mind is the elevating cart. This height of this type of cart can be raised or lowered by the operator as needed. With some models, the raising and lowering of loads occurs automatically as materials are added to or removed from the carts.

Certain cart models are designed to be rolled over rough terrain and thus are often put to excellent use by construction companies. These carts typically feature oversized tires to help easier their passage over uneven ground. Some other cart models are motorized – clearly an ergonomic benefit as well as often a time-saving advantage for the operator. Additionally, there are a number of different cart models that have dividers. This feature enables materials of a wide variety of shapes to be transported. Carts with built-in dividers are often excellent for drywall, paneling, plywood or sheet metal. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify correctness of fit for applications.

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