But what if I can't find any lifting equipment with a high enough weight load limit?

When presented with a heavy load, you may occasionally be tempted to just lift it on your own, rather than calling for help or using the proper lifting equipment. You're pretty strong, and after all, you're only carrying it a short distance - what could go wrong?

Well...a lot of things, actually. Heavy lifting is serious business, and you can really hurt yourself if you don't do it in the right way. Here are some of the risks you run when you lift a heavy load without the proper assistance and/or equipment...

More...

The main advantage of an adjustable beam clamp is the fact that in can be securely fastened to steel girders and beams without any drilling or welding.

How, you ask? Well, it's quite simple. If you purchase a beam clamp from SafetyLiftinGear, it will have an adjusting bar threaded through the centre. This bar can be turned to adjust the width of your clamp; all you have to do is make the clamp wide enough to fit your beam/girder, then tighten the adjusting bar to ensure that clamp is securely attached.

Once the clamp has been applied, you'll be able to use it for a variety of different lifting tasks. Attaching your clamp to a lifting device will allow you to position the beam or girder to which you've clamped it; alternatively, you could attach your clamp to a pre-existing structure, hang a hoist from the clamp, and then use this system to lift other loads.

The clamps that we sell have maximum weight capacities ranging from 1 to 10 tonnes; click here to see the full range and purchase your beam clamp online.

(image via Flickr)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for roughly one-third of all workplace injuries. Common MSDs include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower back injuries.

Just because your job isn't based around manual labour doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be affected by musculoskeletal problems. In this blog post, the SafetyLiftinGear team will share some health and safety tips that should help you and your employees/colleagues to steer clear of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.

• Use ergonomic equipment. Perhaps the most common causes of workplace musculoskeletal disorders are poor posture and repetitive strain. Employers can address this by providing ergonomic equipment for their workers - you can get ergonomic chairs, keyboards, computer mice, and a variety of other items that are designed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and related complaints.
  
  
• Lift heavy items properly. We recently published a safe lifting guide, which explains, step-by-step, how to lift heavy loads without injuring oneself. If you repeatedly lift heavy objects in a manner that puts strain on your body, it's likely you will end up with a workplace musculoskeletal disorder - so lift with care!
  
  
• Use the correct material handling equipment where necessary. Material handling injuries are very common across many different working environments. It's not always sensible to lift heavy objects using manpower alone - some loads should only be transported using a forklift, pallet truck, or similar.
  
  
• Carry out a workplace risk assessment. Conducting a thorough risk assessment is key to keeping the workplace safe for all who use it. Risk assessments should be carried out by trained health and safety personnel, and renewed whenever there is a significant change in the working environment.

By following these simple health and safety steps, you can drastically reduce your chances of a workplace musculoskeletal disorder. 

Heavy lifting can be dangerous, frequently resulting in injuries and accidents when done improperly. Here, courtest of the experts at SafetyLiftinGear, are some tips to help you stay safe next time you're lifting heavy objects:

• Plan your actions. Don't jump head-first into lifting a heavy item - think about what you're doing first. What route are you planning to take? Would it be possible to push or slide the load instead of lifting it? Can you lift it alone without putting yourself in harm's way, or do you need to call for help?
  
  
• Bend your knees. When you bend down to pick up the object in question, make sure you bend at the knees instead of at the waist. This will put the weight on your legs, rather than putting your back at risk.
  
  
• Get a good grip. Before you rise to a standing position, ensure that you have a good hold on the load that will not slip as you move.
  
  
• Keep it close. Don't hold the load at arm's length; instead, hug it close to your body (especially as you rise from picking it up).
  
  
• Take it slowly. Never rush when lifting and moving a heavy load - that's how accidents happen!
  
  
• Don't twist your spine. Twisting your body while carrying a heavy item can do a lot of damage - ensure that you're facing in the same direction as your feet at all times.
  
  
• Put it down properly. Don't simply drop the load when you reach your destination - find a suitable space to deposit the item, then bend at the knee and place it down gently.

One final tip: know when you're beaten! Some loads are simply too heavy to be lifted by manpower alone, and in situations like these, you may need to use specialist lifting equipment (e.g. slings, hoists, chains) to get the job done. Don't try to show off by lifting something that could get you hurt!

It's hard to overestimate the risks associated with heavy lifting. Attempting to lift weighty goods on your own can result in severe injury, and using improper or poor-quality equipment can lead to all kinds of damage, both to the items being lifted and to the people involved.

With this in mind, we scarcely need to explain the importance of high-calibre lifting equipment. We at SafetyLiftinGear sell hundreds of different items to assist with heavy lifting; no matter what you're trying to lift, we almost certainly stock an appropriate piece of equipment for the job, so please don't attempt it without the right gear.

Here are some examples of the equipment that we can supply for heavy lifting purposes:

• Electric Hoists
• Beam Trolleys
• Chainblocks
• Leverhoists
• Magnets

This list, however, is just the tip of the iceberg - click here to see our full range of heavy lifting equipment.