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:

• Of all the problems that can arise from heavy lifting, musculoskeletal disorders are perhaps the most widespread. Back injury is a particularly common complaint in people who handle heavy loads on a regular basis.
  
  
• If you're carrying a load that's too heavy for you, there's an increased chance that you will drop it, and this in turn can lead to all sorts of injuries (broken toes are an obvious one - many a heavy object has been dropped onto the feet of the person carrying it!) And, of course, accidentally dropping the load you're carrying can result in damaged goods, too.
  
  
• Attempting to carry a load that's too heavy to lift by manpower alone puts a terrible strain on your body, which can lead to painful muscle sprains and tears. You could also end up with a slipped disc or a hernia.

To steer clear of these (and other) risks, be sure to seek assistance when tackling heavy loads and use the appropriate manual handling equipment when necessary.

The SafetyLiftinGear team will be at the 2015 Royal Bath & West Show from the the 27th to the 30th of May. This event has taken place annually at the Bath & West Showground for the last 49 years (2015 is the show's 50th year at the Showground), and it really does have something for everyone - here's a small sample of what's going on later this month:

• British Cheese Awards
• British Cider Championships
• Livestock competitions
• Horticultural Village
• Sports Village
• Imagineering Fair
• Canoeing and kayaking experiences
• Falconry displays
• Rural craft demonstrations
• A huge assortment of food and drink

The show will also play host to more than 500 trade stands, where exhibitors will be showing off everything from sweets and drinks to cars and, well, lifting equipment! If you're visiting the Royal Bath & West Show next week, you'll find SafetyLiftinGear at Stand 115 - once there, you'll be able to take a close look at our extensive product range and put your questions to SLG's friendly and knowledgeable sales team.

We'll also be promoting several special offers; a variety of items will be available to purchase directly from our stand at discounted prices (don't worry if you don't want to carry your purchase home from the show - we'll be more than happy to send it to you afterwards). Here are some of the products you'll be able to buy:

• Load restraints
• Hoists
• Garden carts
• Site trolleys
• Vehicle winches
• Lifting slings

This show is truly a great day out for people of all ages, so why not come on down and say hello? Click here for ticket information and prices.

The SafetyLiftinGear team will be at the 2015 Royal Bath & West Show from the the 27th to the 30th of May. This event has taken place annually at the Bath & West Showground for the last 49 years (2015 is the show's 50th year at the Showground), and it really does have something for everyone - here's a small sample of what's going on later this month:

• British Cheese Awards
• British Cider Championships
• Livestock competitions
• Horticultural Village
• Sports Village
• Imagineering Fair
• Canoeing and kayaking experiences
• Falconry displays
• Rural craft demonstrations
• A huge assortment of food and drink

The show will also play host to more than 500 trade stands, where exhibitors will be showing off everything from sweets and drinks to cars and, well, lifting equipment! If you're visiting the Royal Bath & West Show next week, you'll find SafetyLiftinGear at Stand 115 - once there, you'll be able to take a close look at our extensive product range and put your questions to SLG's friendly and knowledgeable sales team.

We'll also be promoting several special offers; a variety of items will be available to purchase directly from our stand at discounted prices (don't worry if you don't want to carry your purchase home from the show - we'll be more than happy to send it to you afterwards). Here are some of the products you'll be able to buy:

• Load restraints
• Hoists
• Garden carts
• Site trolleys
• Vehicle winches
• Lifting slings

This show is truly a great day out for people of all ages, so why not come on down and say hello? Click here for ticket information and prices.

All of this equipment was supplied by SafetyLiftinGear (except for the glass sucker).

In addition to the cantilever, we also supplied a complete equipment package that included lifting chains and shackles to assist with the job.

As all of this demonstrates, we don't just sell lifting equipment here at SafetyLiftinGear - we provide a comprehensive service that's individually tailored to each and every customer. Browse our Lifting section now, or contact us to discuss your specific requirement. No matter what you need, we will provide it!

All of this equipment was supplied by SafetyLiftinGear (except for the glass sucker).

In addition to the cantilever, we also supplied a complete equipment package that included lifting chains and shackles to assist with the job.

As all of this demonstrates, we don't just sell lifting equipment here at SafetyLiftinGear - we provide a comprehensive service that's individually tailored to each and every customer. Browse our Lifting section now, or contact us to discuss your specific requirement. No matter what you need, we will provide it!

Vertikal Days, the UK's #1 industry event for lifting and access specialists, will be taking place in Merseyside next week (13th & 14th of May). The SafetyLiftinGear team will be there - this is one of the biggest events in our industry, after all - and if you're attending, you'll be able to find us on stand 509A for the duration of the show.

The Vertikal Days show is entirely focused on lifting/access products, and SafetyLiftinGear will be exhibiting alongside hundreds of other leading providers. Here are some of the products we'll be showing off:

• Chain Slings: We have a range of single leg, 2 leg, and 4 leg chain slings, which can be used to lift heavy loads safely and securely. We will also be displaying a new range of G100 high strength chain slings at Vertikal Days.
  
  
• Webbing Slings: Our polyester webbing slings are extremely tough, yet lightweight and flexible.
  
  
• Electric Hoists: We offer single phase and three phase hoists for a variety of purposes.
  
  
• Chain Block Hoists: SafetyLiftinGear supply a selection of heavy-duty chain blocks from Elephant, a renowned manufacturer with a reputation for reliability.

Additionally, we will be running a special promotion on cherry picker/access platform safety harness kits, AND we will be displaying our new water/windproof jacket safety harness. If you're heading up to the Vertikal Days show next week, make sure you visit stand 509A for all of the above and more!

Click here to see SafetyLiftinGear's full range of lifting equipment.

Later this year, former pilot Andy Green will attempt to break the world land speed record by going 1,000mph in the Bloodhound SSC, a supersonic car that is currently being built in Bristol.

SafetyLiftinGear is an official partner of The Bloodhound Project, which has been set up not only to break the record but also to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, technicians and mathematicians to take an interest in these fields. SLG are providing a range of material handling products and lifting equipment for the project, ensuring that the Bloodhound is constructed as safely as possible.

Click here to visit The Bloodhound Project's website and learn more about this amazing idea.