Chances are, we all know someone who has suffered or is currently battling back pain in their daily life. Struggling to get out of bed in the morning, standing through family meals because sitting is too painful—it can be truly debilitating. Now, consider this: how many scaffolders do you know with back pain? Probably quite a few, right?
Startling Reality of the Effects of Manual Labour
In a recent report conducted by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), it was revealed that a staggering [1]80% of scaffold accidents among its members are due to manual handling, slips, trips and falls from height. Considering the fact that over the course of their career, the average scaffolder will handle over 150,000 tonnes of scaffolding material, it’s hard to imagine the immense physical toll this must take on one person’s back and spine.
Many young workers often feel a sense of invincibility, brushing off the occasional cut, sprain, or bruise as just part of the job. But what about the hidden costs? While short-term injuries might seem manageable, the real concern lies in the long-term impact both physically and mentally that often goes unnoticed. Broken bones and musculoskeletal injuries can disrupt even the smallest of daily tasks. The simplicity of getting out of bed can suddenly feel like a painful, exhausting challenge, with the effects not stopping there. These physical setbacks can ripple into your mental health, often leading to anxiety, stress, and even depression. It’s not easy to accept that manual handling is an unavoidable part of scaffolding work, but there’s good news: with the right policies, procedures, and equipment, we can ensure that every worker in the industry gets the support and protection they need.
Introducing the BIGBEN TuffCart V Barrow
In a world where machines wash our cars, scrub our carpets, and even tackle our dishes, you'd think we'd have something to take care of the heavy lifting too.
Well, now there is – introducing the BIGBEN TuffCart V Barrow, a powerful solution that’s ready to transform the way you manoeuvre around site.
The BIGBEN V Barrow has been specifically engineered to handle heavy loads with ease. With a weight of 45kg and SWL of 500kg, this BIGBEN TuffCart is the true epitome of ‘small but mighty’.
It’s solid and robust wheels not only makes transport look easy but can handle simply the uneven and rough floors that can sometimes be present around many sites.
We know adaptability is key in scaffolding, which is why the BIGBEN V Barrow is designed to meet your needs. It has the ability to quickly and securely attach 4ft tubes to either side using scaffold fittings to create a simple, yet effective handle. Once finished and the handle removed, the BIGBEN Barrow transforms into a compact and portable tool, allowing you to take it anywhere.
What’s more, is that this contraption has been recommended in the NASC Manual Handling Guidance in SG6:22, proving to remove the physical strain and stress that manual handling can cause.
Don’t be another statistic
Take action today to reduce manual strain and preserve your physical strength, don’t wait until the long-term effects catch up with you. Invest in your health now for a stronger, healthier future. The steps you take today can make all the difference tomorrow.
Click here to view the BIGBEN TuffCart V Barrow.
[1] https://www.buildingengineer.org.uk/news/80-scaffold-accidents-due-manual-handling-slips-trips-and-falls#:~:text=A%20report%20from%20the%20National,trips%20and%20falls%20from%20height.
