The storage of components in the workshop and their handling generate many actions that can be the source of accidents of lumbar pain. In his carpentry shop, Jacky Thienot developed a solution for handling panels.

The task

In a joinery like Jacky Thienot's, many actions that are often painful have to be performed. In this enterprise, large and heavy wood panels have to be moved regularly.

The risks

The size and weight of the panels can risks of lumbar pain and damage to the joints and muscles.

The solution and methodology

An evaluation of the risks was made on the basis of a tool (auto-diagnostic grid) developed in collaboration with the employers' federation and the Organisme Professionnel de Prévention du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics (OPPBTP). The various risks (transporting loads) were the object of more in-depth examination in order to develop a suitable solution for the activity of the firm and the layout of the rooms.

The solution was introduced by the manager of the firm and consists of a fixed lifting system installed in the storage areas and the shop for the transport of wood panels. This support can be tilted to handle the panels. The six fixing points enable them to be tilted in different ways to facilitate diagonal passage through small openings.

This system can also be used on-site and allows the panels to pass diagonally through small openings. The lifting apparatus ensures adequate functioning of this system.

The effectiveness of the results

This solution considerably reduces the risks associated with handling and permits heavy panels to be handled by a single person. The tiltable support reduces the manual carrying of heavy loads and also reduces the risk that the transported panels will fall.

The solution is transferable depending on the layout of the rooms of working areas and so has to be adapted in each case.

The participation of the workers

The solution was designed and implemented by the manager of the company but was readily adopted by the workers.

The costs and benefits

This solution contributes to an improvement of the working conditions and the organisation of the production and storage of panels. All of these constitute benefits for the company.

Testimony of the entrepreneur "Working myself in the shop, I am very much aware of questions of prevention and of health and safety. The regulations are often complex and not easy to understand for small craft companies. The solution implemented appeals to common sense and responds to an immediate and concrete issue, i.e. the reduction of risks associated with handling heavy loads."