4 Ways Casters Prevent Injuries in the Workplace

September 23, 2013

Ross Castors

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No matter what industry you are in, ensuring the safety of your employees on a daily basis is most likely your number one priority. This can be difficult at time, especially in industries like manufacturing and medical. However, it is essential, as workplace injuries can lower production, reduce employee morale, and result in lost management time and work. Injuries in the workplace can also be costly, especially if workers need time off, need medical treatment, and you need to hire temporary replacements to fill their positions.

Thankfully, you can reduce a great number of safety concerns with one simple item: casters.

Castors and Safety in the Workplace

How do castors make your workplace a safer place to be?

Castors Eliminate the Need for Heavy Lifting- Back and musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common ailments suffered in the workplace. Castors practically eliminate them, however, because they eliminate the need for heavy lifting. Instead of lifting, pushing, or pulling a heavy load, a castor allows workers to move any large item with ease. No injuries result because caster wheels are designed to work with the body’s flow of motion, instead of against it. This prevents stress on the body, especially in areas like the back and shoulders.

Brakes and Toe Locks- Many casters come with brakes and toe locks, which prevent heavy loads from rolling, even when the floor is uneven. This is one of the biggest benefits to using casters as opposed to regular wheels. As long as the brakes or toe locks are applied, workers don’t have to fear walking near the heavy load; it will stay in place until the operator decides to move it.

Reducing Spark Damage- Anti-static castors reduce the amount of spark damage in the workplace, which can occur when heavy machinery is being moved. The electrostatic discharge that can result from this type of movement can not only shut down machines and damage computer circuits, but it also has the potential of starting fires in the workplace. Reducing this chance of injury, however, is easy, however, when using an anti-static castor, because they are made from rubber and prevent electrostatic discharge from occurring in the first place.

Levelling- Levelling castors are ideal for workplaces where the terrain may be uneven, but how do they prevent workplace injuries? By using these castors to level work surfaces, equipment, or chairs, you are creating an ergonomic heaven for your employees. They will no longer have to lean or adjust their seating in order to perform their daily tasks, which can reduce neck, back, knee, and shoulder aches and pains.

Keep Your Casters Working For You!

While castors can prevent injuries from occurring in the workplace, they can only do so if they are taken care of wisely. If you’re planning to purchase and use casters for your company, make sure you have the time to ensure they are cleaned properly and maintained on a regular basis. This will not only improve their life span, but allow them to function as they should so you can worry about production instead of safety.