Retail store work involves moving materials and stocking. This work includes pushing, pulling and lifting materials, sometimes with the help of dollies.
Learning the following safe use practices of dollies will help prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), loss of mobility and time off the job:
• Before loading a dolly, check for any defects that could affect its operation or pose a hazard; check for loose parts, torn
wheels, greasy surfaces, air pressure on pneumatic tires, etc.
• Report potential hazards and have defective equipment repaired
• Get help as needed, especially when tilting and un-tilting dollies
• Use your legs, not your back, to shift the load into a travel position
• When loading a dolly, place larger, heavier items on the bottom of the load
• Do not stack materials above eye level
• Secure bulky, awkward or delicate objects to the hand truck
• Be sure you have a good hold of the handles
• Keep your back straight with knees bent
• Push loads, don’t pull them
• Do not walk backward unless necessary to maneuver in a tight space
• Travel with the dolly ahead of you to avoid getting trapped into tight spaces
• Develop good housekeeping practices to ensure floors are clean so there is minimal resistance
